Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a petition against the steps taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Health, the Ministry of Health, and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to procure medical supplies from two Indian private companies.
Issuing a statement, TISL stated that the fundamental rights petition was filed at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in the public interest yesterday, naming 47 Respondents.
The petition challenges the role of the cabinet of ministers in procuring medical supplies through unregistered private suppliers, the role of the NMRA in providing a Waiver of Registration to procure medical supplies from unregistered suppliers, non-compliance with procurement guidelines including the emergency procurement process, and abuse of process by the Minister of Health and the Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA.
In its petition, TISL alleges that the citizen’s fundamental right to equality (Article 12(1)) and the right of access to information (Article 14A) have been violated, along with serious disregard for the health, safety and well-being of the people and in total abuse of public trust and public funds. TISL seeks further information on these transactions.
The petition also seeks interim orders against the procurement based on this unsolicited proposal and the placing of any orders, approvals for Waiver of Registration of 38 drugs, importation of said drugs into Sri Lanka and, making payment for such drugs.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Director-General of Customs, the Inspector-General of Police, Savorite Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Limited, Kausikh Therapeutics (P) Limited and the Attorney-General are also named as Respondents in this petition.
TISL petition: https://bit.ly/3YUcKdj (NewsWire)