Procurement of fake Immunoglobulin:

Dr. Bellana: Keheliya should be either State witness or suspect in the case

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (26) recorded a statement from Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella regarding the procurement of fake Immunoglobulin during his tenure as the Health Minister.

President of the Government Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that Minister Rambukwella should be produced in court, either as a State witness or a suspect in connection with the ongoing inquiry into procuring fake Immunoglobulin. The government shouldn’t interfere in this matter, he said, adding that political parties, represented in Parliament, had been given an opportunity to act in a manner that would restore public confidence in the system.

Dr. Bellana, who is also the Deputy Director at the National Hospital, told The Island that as the person who convinced the Cabinet-of-Ministers, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to procure life-saving cancer drug Immunoglobulin, hastily, or be prepared to face the consequences, he should have been questioned soon after the CID arrested the then Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha.

The trade unionist who had been with the GMOA years ago said that the ruling SLPP should explain its stand on its Kandy District member. Referring to the SLPP criticism of Minister Rambukwella’s removal as the Health Minister on Oct 23, Dr. Bellana said that health sector trade unions played a significant role in pushing the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government on this issue.

Appreciating the police finally recording a statement from Minister Rambukwella, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science Ravi Kumudesh said that the Public Security Ministry and police headquarters owed an explanation why Rambuwella was granted a special status.

All other suspects, including Chandragupta, had to report to the CID whereas the CID visited the Minister at his official residence to record his statement, Kumudesh pointed out.

“We sincerely believe the CID would be allowed to go the whole hog,” Kumudesh said, warning of attempts by various interested parties, including some in the health sector, to derail investigations.