News
State Minister admits difficulty in tackling ‘Medicine Mafia’
It was extremely difficult to streamline the procurement process, State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana has told the ITN.
Prof. Jayasumana alleged that organised groups made massive profits at taxpayers’ expense through overpricing and excess orders. He, however, said some progress had been made in tackling the problem since the change of government in 2019.
Responding to interviewer Dasun Wasantha, Prof. Jayasumana explained how a section of the medical community was part of the lucrative racket.
The state minister explained how those in authority manipulated the procurement, storage, and distribution systems for their advantage. Prof. Jayasumana alleged that as waste, corruption and irregularities had been taking place with impunity for a long time it would not be an easy task remedy it.
The state minister claimed that streamlining of processes helped the government to save as much as Rs 3.5 bn since he took over the newly created State Ministry. Inquiries had revealed various medicines available at stores of a particular hospital could be distributed among wards to indicate an immediate requirement, Prof. Jayasumana said, underscoring the urgent need to introduce new systems to close loopholes.
The state minister alleged that unscrupulous persons working in unison with those in the public sector created artificial shortages for their benefit. Commenting on continuing import of inferior cosmetics, Prof. Jayasumana explained how those manipulated the regulatory process to enable the market to be flooded with extremely poor-quality items. The state minister did not mince his words when he discussed how some doctors, too, contributed to corrupt practices.
Without naming the former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Prof. Jayasumana flayed the medical administration during the Yahapalana government with the focus on how cancer patients and their families had been brazenly fleeced. There had been instances where what could be purchased for Rs 10,000 marked up as much as Rs 135,000 to 140,000, the state minister said, claiming that one questionable transaction alone was estimated at Rs 840 mn (SF)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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