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DSG tells Colombo Chief Magistrate pharmaceutical mafia may have had hand in loss of NMRA data

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Suspect seeks access to data base again

By AJA Abeynayake

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris yesterday informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court that the pharmaceutical mafia might have had a hand in the recent data loss from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) database.

He said so when the case on NMRA data loss was taken up for hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala.

The DSG informed the court that private company Epic Lanka technology Ltd., had been responsible for maintaining the NMRA’s database for five years and there had been a data loss owing to the negligence and irresponsibility of that company.

 The DSG informed the court that the company in question had no proper mechanism to maintain the database and it had failed to maintain a backup of the data.

 Pharmaceutical companies imported the same type of medicine under various names, Deputy Solicitor General Peiris said.

Nalinda Indatissa PC appearing for Harinda Priyadarshana Kalpage, CEO of Epic Lanka technology Ltd., said that his client might be able to recover the erased data if he was given access to the database again.

DSG Peiris pointed out that the NMRA database had information about the composition of various brands of medicine. The contents of such medicine had been stored in the database from which some data had been erased. Owing to the data loss, pharmaceutical companies could now price their medicines according to their whims and fancies. There was also danger of such data being changed if the accused party was permitted access to update the NMRA database, he argued.

 The case was put off till Dec 09.



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Voter apathy grows as never before: PAFFREL

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Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.

Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.

He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.

Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.

By Chaminda Silva

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Many foreign diplomats witness sacred relic exposition on first day

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A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.

The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.

The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.

“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.

Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

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Ahungalla shooting ordered from Dubai for failure to carry out contract killing

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Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.

The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.

It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).

Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.

Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.

By Hemantha Randunu

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