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NMRA mulls recalling drugs with calcitriol metabolite from the market

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After unregistered products found during raid

by Suresh Perera

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is contemplating withdrawing all pharmaceutical drugs with calcitriol, an active form of Vitamin D3 prescribed largely to kidney patients, following the discovery of stocks of six unregistered imported products during a raid at Dehiwala last week.

“We will have to take a fresh look at medicines with this key metabolite to ensure that the unregistered drugs had not sneaked into the marketplace”, says Amith Perera, NMRA’s Chief Food and Drugs Inspector.

He said that a stock of a combination of six unregistered drugs with the calcitriol hormone were found during a swoop on a luxury house by officers of the regulatory body.

Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis.

The drug, which comes under different brand names, is also prescribed by some doctors to treat Covid-19 patients and those suffering from arthritis as it is an active form of Vitamin D3.

Asked whether the NMRA sealed the complex where the unregulated drugs were discovered, Perera said the medicines were placed inside a room of the house and sealed.

He said a company licensed to import six other drugs was registered under the address. As a result, the stock of ‘expired’ drugs found stored within the building was in order as an importer was authorized under the law to accept products beyond their shelf life and store them to be destroyed under NMRA supervision.

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Prof. Channa Jayasumana inspected the drugs in the raided complex on Wednesday and directed the NMRA to withdraw the relevant medicines from the market.

He was shown on television taking a closer look at the medicines and, at one point saying, “these are given to kidney patients”.

When the State Minister asked a company official present how the drugs were imported without authority, he replied, “we have paid taxes”.

The NMRA believes the unregistered drugs may have been imported under the ‘food supplements’ category by changing the HS code description.

The regulatory authority will be filing legal action against the company, Perera said.

When asked for comment, the company’s Chairman said he was “at a meeting” and promised to call back. However, he didn’t return the call.

Meanwhile, pharmacists complained of difficulties to secure the required approvals via the NMRA’s online portal.

The process is so complicated that we cannot even get our annual licenses renewed online, they said. “Many pharmacies are operating without renewing their licenses as a result and could face a load of trouble if there’s an issue”.

Online applications are repeatedly, “rejected”, perhaps due to a glitch in the system, and the situation is so grave that even the transport of pharmaceuticals has to be done without renewing the permit, they pointed out.

The NMRA should first put its house in order before venturing out to supervise pharmacies, they suggested.

An official of the regulatory body promised to look into the complaint.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide  early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala effective untill 2100hrs on 12th May 2026.

Accordingly,

Level II landslide early warnings have been issued to the divisional secretaries division and surrounding areas of  Passara in the Badulla district.

Level I landslide early warnings  have been issued to the divisional secretaries divisions and surrounding areas of Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Pasbage Korale,  Akurana,  Gangawata Korale,  Panvila,  Yatinuwara,  Ganga Ihala Korale,  Doluwa and  Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Mawanella,  Bulathkohupitiya,  Yatiyanthota,  Aranayaka,  Kegalle and  Rambukkana in the Kegalle district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district and Badalkumbura and Wellawaya in the Monaragala district.

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Showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 11 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 11 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

 

The low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka is likely to develop into a low-pressure area around the next 36 hours. Therefore, the prevailing showery conditions over the island are expected to continue during the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in most parts of the island and Cloudy skies are expected, under the influence of the aforementioned system. Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Treasury theft: Speaker’s conduct brought to IPU’s attention: SJB  

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Dayasiri

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has sought the intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to pressure the JVP-NPP government to respect the rights of the Opposition.

MP Jayasekera told The Island that they wouldn’t allow the NPP to suppress the truth regarding the theft of Treasury funds amounting to USD 2.5 million. He accused Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne of depriving the Opposition of its legitimate rights, at the behest of the government.

Jayasekera said that the Speaker’s conduct regarding the action taken against Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, too, had been brought to the notice of IPU and other international associations.

The text of MP Jayasekera’s letter to the Secretary general of IPU: “I respectfully submit this petition seeking the attention and intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning a matter affecting parliamentary accountability, the rights of elected representatives, and the proper functioning of constitutional oversight within the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

On 06 May 2026, I Dayasiri Jayasekara MP submitted a formal request to the Hon. Speaker of Parliament seeking permission, under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 and Standing Order 29(1), to raise a question of privilege regarding alleged constitutional and parliamentary violations by Mr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury of Sri Lanka.

The proposed privilege motion raised matters including:

1. Alleged violations of Articles 148, 149, and 150 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka concerning parliamentary control over public finance;

2. Alleged failure to report to Parliament concerning a controversial and unlawful transfer of approximately USD 2.5 million from the Treasury;

3. Alleged non-compliance with parliamentary committee procedures under the Standing Orders of Parliament;

4. Questions relating to constitutional eligibility under Article 91(1)(d)(xiii) of the Constitution concerning dual citizenship and qualification to sit and vote in Parliament;

5. A request that the matter be referred to the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee established under Standing Order 118.

 Despite the seriousness of the constitutional and parliamentary issues raised, the Hon. Speaker declined permission for the privilege issue to be raised in Parliament.

It is respectfully submitted that this refusal has the effect of:

•  Preventing an elected Member of Parliament from exercising his parliamentary oversight function;

• Restricting parliamentary scrutiny over matters involving public finance and constitutional accountability;

•  Undermining the privileges of Members of Parliament to raise matters of urgent public importance;

•  Limiting institutional transparency concerning allegations involving senior state officials.

The right of parliamentarians to raise questions of privilege and matters relating to constitutional governance is an essential component of parliamentary democracy and legislative independence. The refusal to permit even the presentation or preliminary consideration of such a matter raises serious concerns regarding parliamentary accountability mechanisms in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, I respectfully request that the Inter-Parliamentary Union:

1.Take cognizance of this matter as one affecting the rights and functions of Members of Parliament;

2.Seek clarification from the relevant parliamentary authorities in Sri Lanka regarding the grounds upon which the privilege motion was disallowed;

3.Consider whether the refusal is compatible with internationally recognised principles of parliamentary democracy, accountability, and freedom of parliamentary speech;

4. Encourage the Parliament of Sri Lanka to ensure fair and transparent procedures governing parliamentary privilege motions and constitutional oversight.

I further request that this communication be placed before the appropriate committee or mechanism within the IPU dealing with the rights and duties of parliamentarians.”

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