Harsha harming himself by opposing government’s effort to develop Suwa Seriya: Nalinda

21 October 2025 12:07 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, Oct. 21 (Daily Mirror) - Claiming that those who introduced some project must be pleased when it is upgraded with global trends and carried forward, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said MP Harsha de Silva is harming his own self by opposing the government's effort to develop the Suwa Seriya ambulance service.

The Minister told Parliament that the government's intention is to develop the Suwa Seriya ambulance scheme to be in line with global developments in healthcare and standards.

He said this in response to a question raised by MP Harsha de Silva, who said the colour and the logo of Suwa Seriya has been changed.

"The new letterhead says Sri Lanka Emergency Ambulance Service while the name Suwa Seriya appears in small letters underneath.

"Suwa Seriya is a pre-hospital care service. It is not a service which provides first aid," Dr. De Silva said.

Minister Jayatissa, who responded said MP de Silva is harming his own self by opposing the government's effort to develop the ambulance scheme and added that the logo, colour and everything will be intact.

Comments - 17

Mizaru Tuesday, 21 October 2025 12:40 PM

What is important is not the name or color. It is the service that is provided. We had a batch get together a few months ago and one of our batch mates did not feel well. We called the Suwa Seriya ( It was the only one to respond) and when I arrived all it had was a blood pressure monitor. The rest of the equipment was either missing (ECG etc) or not functioning. The Suwa Sariya needs a complete rehab.

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rbh Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:08 PM

Dr. Harsha, the public cares more about how fast an ambulance reaches them than what color it is. But if the color (Green colour Abulance )change is tied to political branding or party identity, that’s a serious concern. Public services like Suwa Seriya must stay neutral anD Professional... not wear party colors. The ambulance should carry the people's trust, not a political flag. it's about political credit, public trust, and how much of the old system a new government is willing to retain... If handled poorly< IT could undermine confidence in a life-saving service for no real public health benefit.

3 37

Vtea Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:45 PM

People bring NPP to power not repeat the what previous regimens done. This is really disgraceful effort by the government.

12 25

Joshua Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:09 PM

Develop or just rename, typical local polity culture continues as there is no system change at all in up-world.

4 37

FEAR NOT " FOR THE GOVT IS WITH US ALL" Tuesday, 21 October 2025 02:26 PM

Majority voted for a change and a CHANGE is happening, who cares a rats tail about the name, red black or blue!! All the people should care about is having WELL EQUIPED AMBULANCES ARR ON TIME TO TREAT THE PATIENTS AND GET THEM TO HOSPITAL IN THE QUICKEST POSSIBLE TIME. MAINTENENCE IS PRAMOUNT TOO.

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Terrence K Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:15 PM

What has the JVP/NPP done by new innovations what we see is that this government is piggy backing on some of the projects which were initiated by the previous governments. Why can't you all think of some new projects and then name it and brand it accordingly. Even the IMF project is all borrowed intellect and now you are harping about the economic numbers. It is disgusting to watch or to hear the news which always are on topics of apprehending suspects in respect of narcotics etc, where the public are overdosed by this nonsense. Even the changes to the structure of education has fallen on the wayside because the practioners who have spent their lives on education know what nincompoops these legislators are who might have qualifications but no hands on experience. With time we could see the incompetencies of these big talkers!!!!!

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Mihira Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:24 PM

Why not stop Suwa Seriya altogether? Didn't NPP claim that 3-wheels are better at this job?

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Veta Tuesday, 21 October 2025 01:40 PM

This is very bad move. If they want to modernize the service, the change of name, colour, logo etc should be the last things to change. This is so absurd. This minister knows every thing! Disgusting!

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Ambulance Ambulance Tuesday, 21 October 2025 02:07 PM

The Ambulance service should have necessary upgrades to provide best emergency care required prior to reaching hospital, Is there Dr on call, to monitor necessary vitals person? Why they refuse to take patients nearby preferd hospital, in city, how can medic determine if patient has died?? Only driver one medic arrived, 1.20 min late, we need improved service!!

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RanjithT Tuesday, 21 October 2025 03:56 PM

So called minister of health with his small mind thinks that changing the and colour Suwa Seriya will give a better service do it comrade. It only proves that how petty minded you guys are. After one year comrades can you say this development project we planned? Sinopec, Coconut Triangle, Solar farm etc were projects started or initiated by76 years of curse. You guys have no vision no strategic plan just continuing past activates sans trying to punish corrupt politicians and officials. Yes do it according to law, not just to upbeat the gullible supporters. Comrade president visited 8 countries what is the net benefit for the country. Big fan fare for central highway, gullible supporters go and see to yourself the progress.

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Sharmi Tuesday, 21 October 2025 03:59 PM

Changing the name is not upgrading. You can still upgrade it without changing its identity.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 21 October 2025 05:06 PM

It is no surprise what NPP is doing because the majority of members are from JVP who have done nothing but destruction for last 60 years. Painting the ambulances using party colors and making the logo similar to theirs are all what they could think of.

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Navi Tuesday, 21 October 2025 06:55 PM

Mr. health do not lop sided thinking. Change color or the number will not improve. Improve the facilities it got and vehicle maintenance.

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Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 21 October 2025 11:20 PM

Changing the color and number does not develop a service! This is just a petty thinking from shallow minded people to change the color. Give a good service people will remember you. They have already forgotten your color!

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Rohini Wijetilleke Tuesday, 21 October 2025 11:28 PM

What is in a name? An ambulance by any other name will still be an ambulance. Doesn't Harsha have anything better to do?

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Lion Wednesday, 22 October 2025 06:25 AM

Could remember Harsha erected a board near Rajagiriya once claiming that he was instrumental of bringing Suwasariya to this country and later the board was removed when public ridicule this act.

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Christine Perera Wednesday, 22 October 2025 07:28 AM

How much will it cost to do these changes. Isn't it a waste of money, specially at a time when the government is supposed to minimise wastage.

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