COLOMBO, Sept. 22 -- About 94.7% of essential medicines required for the day-to-day operation of Sri Lanka's government hospitals are currently in stock, and all 13 identified life-saving medicines are available without shortages, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament.

Responding to a question from Opposition MP S. M. Marikkar, during Questions for Oral Answers on Tuesday (22), the Minister said 585 of the 618 medicines classified as essential were currently available at government hospitals and other state healthcare institutions.

This leaves 33 essential medicines either unavailable or in short supply, according to the figures presented to Parliament.

Jayatissa said the health authorities were required t...