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ADB funding for medicine: Govt. not allowed to participate in procurement process

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Jagoda stands by accusations

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has revealed that in respect of funds that had been made available by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to procure urgently needed medicine, the entire procurement process was handled by that organisation.

The disclosure was made at a hastily arranged media briefing on Wednesday (28) at the health ministry to answer queries raised on allegations pertaining to procurement of medicines and surgical items through the Indian credit line.

Rambukwella said that there had been instances when the ADB even questioned some items chosen by the Health Ministry.The media was told the ADB provided USD 67 mn, in addition to USD 200 mn made available by India, USD 100 mn from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and USD 28 mn from China.

Minister Rambukwella maintained that the ADB procurement process was slow.

Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Pubudu Jagoda, who challenged the procurement process in respect of the Indian credit line as well as Minister Rambukwelle’s recent controversial visit to India, said that the ADB policy was meant to deprive opportunities for waste and corruption.

Jagoda pointed out that the World Bank imposed strict regulations when Sri Lanka opened international competitive biddings for fertiliser.In terms of the World Bank guidelines, contractors and sub-contractors are required to permit the World Bank team to inspect records, accounts and other documents relating to the procurement process and audited by auditors appointed by the WB.

This was in relation to tenders that had been called for the procurement of 125,000 metric tonnes of urea for the Maha season utilising funds allocated under the USD 350 million emergency financing facility offered by the World Bank.

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) during Prof. Charitha Herath’s tenure as its Chairman accused Litro of misappropriation of funds. Declaring that Sri Lanka couldn’t restore the supply of cooking gas till the World Bank provided USD 70 mn to the government contribution.

Prof. Herath said it had not been possible to restore the cooking gas supply until the World Bank provided USD 70 mn to the government and Sri Lanka added USD 20 mn to the funds provided by the WB. The lawmaker claimed that the supplier whose bid had been rejected earlier had secured the contract through a front. He alleged that a tonne of gas that could have been procured previously at a cost of USD 96 was finally obtained at USD 129.One-time Media Ministry Secretary alleged that even the funds provided by the World Bank at a time the country was struggling to resolve the economic crisis had been misappropriated.

Litro has denied lawmaker Herath’s allegations.Jagoda yesterday toldThe Islandthat the government-led procurement process had lost its credibility. Responding to questions, the FSP official said that there was no point in reminding the parliament of its responsibility as regards public finance. The country wouldn’t have ended up bankrupt if parliament fulfilled its obligations, Jagoda said, adding that emergency loans received from India as well as other countries and lending agencies had to be repaid with interest. Therefore, it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure a corruption-free process, Jagoda said.

The FSP official insisted that Minister Rambukwella hadn’t answered the issues raised by him and a section of the media. The Minister is on record as having said that 90 percent of the media reports and allegations made against him were false, Jagoda said. The FSP official challenged MP Rambukwella to disclose what he believed was accurate.



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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.


Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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