Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and seven other suspects have been further remanded until June 14, over the purported importation of inferior Immune Globulin vaccines.

Meanwhile, the court ordered the release of the fourth suspect in the case on a monetary bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails each of Rs. 500,000.

The order was issued when the case was taken up before the Maligakanda Magistrate on Monday.

The suspects were arrested and remanded after the Criminal Investigations Department launched an investigation into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with the assistance of the two senior state officials.

Investigations revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine, under the tenure of Keheliya Rambukwella as Health Minister.

Based on the investigations, several Health Ministry officials, including Rambukwella, were arrested and remanded over the matter, while Rambukwella’s revision application seeking bail has been rejected several times by the Colombo High Court. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has scheduled a fresh hearing on May 31 for former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s writ application, which seeks to overturn the Maligakanda Magistrate’s decision to remand him over the import of substandard immunoglobulin vials.

The petition was taken up for consideration before the two-judge bench, comprising Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Shashi Mahendran.

Accordingly, the petition has been scheduled for consideration on May 31.

In his petition, Rambukwella requested a Writ of Prohibition to prevent the Maligakanda Magistrate from taking any further steps to detain him in remand custody.

Rambukwella was arrested and placed in remand custody following investigations which revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of substandard medicine, during his tenure as Health Minister. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella has filed a Fundamental Rights Petition before the Supreme Court today (29), against his arrest.

In his petition, the former minister claims that his rights have been violated following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department and the subsequent remand sans reasonable cause.

Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and six other suspects were remanded after being arrested over the purported importation of inferior Immune Globulin vaccines.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had commenced an investigation into allegations that the pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with the assistance of the two senior state officials. 

Investigations revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine.

Based on the investigations, several Health Ministry officials, including former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella were arrested and remanded over the matter. (NewsWire)

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Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officials visited the residence of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to obtain a statement on the importation of substandard medicines, based on a request by the latter to voluntarily provide a statement on the matter, the Police said.

Responding to questions raised by the media on why the CID officials had not summoned the minister to record a statement, which had also been the talk on social media, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa issued a clarification.

Addressing the media yesterday, SSP Thalduwa revealed that as the investigations were ongoing the CID had not made a decision at the time to question Keheliya Rambukwella.

“Only when the CID has enough evidence will they summon an individual for questioning. However, Minister Rambukwella had voluntarily informed the CID that he was willing to provide a statement and that he was also able to provide sufficient evidence, requesting the officers to visit his residence. Based on this, the CID had decided to record the statement at the minister’s residence,” he clarified. 

The CID recorded a statement from Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at his residence on Tuesday (Dec 26) on the importation of substandard stocks of Immune Globulin vaccines during his tenure as the Health Minister.

A probe was initially launched into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with the assistance of the two senior state officials. 

CID investigations also found that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine. 

Further investigations found that Sudath Janaka Fernando alias ‘Aruna Deepthi’ who owns the pharmaceutical company had imported the stock of substandard medicines.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr. Vijith Gunasekera and the Director of Supply at the Ministry of Health Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake were found to have assisted the importation by providing forged ministry documents. 

The group was arrested and remanded, after which Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta was also arrested over the matter.

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday remanded five suspects, including  Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta until January 10, 2024. (NewsWire)

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The Government has taken a decision to halt the emergency procurement of medicinal drugs.

The decision was announced by Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella during a press briefing held today (Oct 02). 

Accordingly, a decision has been taken to halt the emergency procurement of medicinal drugs with immediate effect. 

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella further said that a Medicinal Management and Strategizing Committee (MMSC) has been appointed to overlook, evaluate, and regulate the purchasing processes within the ministry.

Taking to ‘X’, the Health Minister said that decisions have been taken to regulate, standardize, and further quicken the process of drug procurement for Sri Lanka.

“To date, it has largely been a singular effort because of the pressing need and lack of funds. This will ensure greater efficiency of delivery,” he added. (NewsWire)

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The government has taken a decision to recall retired doctors and specialists for service, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella said.

According to media reports, Minister Rambukwella stated that the decision has been taken to address the shortage of doctors and specialists in the country.

The Health Minister further stated that the recalled retired doctors and specialists will be included into the health sector on a contract basis. 

He added that steps are being taken to present a proposal in this regard to the Cabinet of Ministers. 

The move comes as Sri Lanka’s health sector has seen a shortage of doctors and specialists due to many leaving the country as a result of the economic crisis. 

Several hospitals in the country have been sincerely impacted due to the doctors, especially specialists leaving the country. (NewsWire)

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The Motion of No Confidence against Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella will be taken up for debate in Parliament next week.

According to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the No Confidence Motion will be taken up for debate on 06, 07, and 08 September 2023.

The voting on the No Confidence Motion will take place at 5.30 p.m. on Friday, September 08.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee. (NewsWire)

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