Substandard drugs scandal: Ex-ministers Ramesh, Roshan, Prasanna arrive at CID

Former Ministers Ramesh Pathirana, Roshan Ranasinghe and Prasanna Ranatunga have arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning (21), in order to provide statements pertaining to the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.

Meanwhile, former Minister Harin Fernando has reportedly informed that he will appear before the CID tomorrow (22) to record a statement regarding the matter. 

On November 12, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court had ordered to record statements from 18 then-Cabinet Ministers pertaining to the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.

The Attorney General’s Department has informed the court that statements are required to be obtained from 18 individuals including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Ministers Tiran Alles, Mahinda Amaraweera, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Harin Fernando, Roshan Ranasinghe and Nimal Siripala who were members of the Cabinet which approved the Cabinet paper presented by then Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella for the import of the controversial drugs in question.

Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema, who granted permission for the request, ordered to record statements from the 18 former Cabinet members related to the matter.

In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) revealed that forged documents were found to have been submitted for Customs clearance to procure a batch of vials containing human immunoglobulin, an antibody produced by blood plasma cells, which later failed the quality tests.

Prior to the apprehension of Rambukwella, seven arrests had been made in connection with the alleged drug procurement scam. But the fifth accused was later released on bail. 

As such, the former Health Secretary, former Additional Health Secretary, the Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and three other officials of the same division, as well as the owner of the company, which is said to have supplied the substandard batch of immunoglobulin vials, were arrested and remanded over the case.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects in the case, former Deputy Director of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana, was released on bail when the case was previously taken up on May 06.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal on July 25 ordered the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court to release on bail the former Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division, Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, who was also in remand custody. 

Accordingly, a total of 12 suspects had been arrested and remanded over the case while presently all but one of them are out on bail. The first accused, the owner of the company that supplied the substandard drugs, Sudath Janaka Fernando is receiving treatment while under remand custody.

Former Health Minister Kehliya Rambukwella, who was in remand custody for over seven months, was released on bail on September 11, 2024.