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Emergency procurement of drugs hereafter will be guided by WHO procedures – Dr. Pathirana
‘Ministry cooperating with CID on Immunoglobulin probe’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (26) said that in case the government had to make emergency purchases, his Ministry would adhere to procedures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Pathirana said so when The Island asked him whether he intended to adopt the controversial emergency purchase procedures exploited allegedly by influential parties at the expense of the entire public health sector.
The Galle District lawmaker said that soon after he received the Health portfolio, he halted emergency procurement though the possibility of the government having to resume such purchases couldn’t be ruled out altogether.
Dr. Pathirana succeeded Keheliya Rambukwella on Oct 23 amidst the huge controversy over the procurement of fake Immunoglobulin, locally, while claiming the life-saving drug was ordered from a Gujarat producer. Both lawmakers represent the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). The then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa brought in Rambukwella as the Health Minister in Aug 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic in the wake of criticism directed at the way Pavitra anniarachchi was handling the unprecedented health crisis.
Responding to another query, Dr. Pathirana said that his Ministry cooperated with the ongoing investigation undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). “We have given them access to files and documents,” Dr. Pathirana said,
adding that a speedy conclusion of the investigation would help restore public confidence in the public health sector.
The matter is now before Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema. Former Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, a Special Grade Officer of the Administrative Service, who had authorized immediate payments for ‘Rituximab’ (another cancer drug), supplied by the same fraudulent tenderer, is to be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate today (27) from remand custody.
In addition to Chandragupta, who was taken in on Dec 18, the CID, on Nov 20, arrested Director, Medical Supplies Division, Dr. Kapila Wickremenayake, Assistant Director Devashantha Soloman, Accountant (Supplies) Neran Dhananjaya, and the Stock Controller of the Medical Supplies Division Sujith Kumara, in connection with the high profile scam.
The proprietor of Isolez Biotech Pharma AG Sugath Janaka Fernando alias Aruna Deepthi was taken in on Oct 31. He was the first to be arrested in this connection.
Dr. Pathirana said that the Ministry was in the process of addressing issues at hand, some on a priority basis, in line with their overall objective to provide quality medicine without interruptions. Pointing out that a large amount of money had been allocated to the Health Ministry, through the 2024 Budget, Dr. Pathirana said that the supply chain was being strengthened, with recent payments made to the suppliers.
Dr. Pathirana also emphasized the urgent need to enhance the capacity of the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory (NMQAL) meant to ensure product quality, safety and efficacy requirements. The Minister disclosed the possibility of securing the WHO’s assistance in this regard while explaining ongoing efforts to reach consensus on an action plan.
Commenting on medical assistance received from abroad, Dr. Pathirana said that the country really appreciated such donations. The Minister said that foreign governments and other parties had provided medicines as requested by the government. But, there had been some instances of some medicines not really required here ending up in Colombo, Dr. Pathirana said, underscoring the pivotal importance of working out proper advance evaluation procedures in respect of such donations.
Dr. Pathirana pointed out that one of the major issues was the short expiry period of some of the medicines received as grants.
The Minister politely declined to comment further on what he called the Immunoglobulin affair as the matter was now being dealt by courts, which makes it sub judice.
Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena said, as requested by relevant authorities, the CID received access to files/documents which were under his authority. The DGHS said so when The Island asked him whether the CID questioned him in this regard. The official stressed that he was not in any way involved in the procurement process.
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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order
Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.
“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.
“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.
“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.
“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”
“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.
As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.
As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.
I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.
Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.
Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.
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Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.
The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.
According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.
The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.
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