News

Ex-Health Minister on Procurement of cholesterol lowering drug

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/4

Thilina Walpola

‘Private sector, too, is importing under Indian credit line’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP MP Prof. Channa Jayasumana yesterday (03) said that cholesterol lowering drug Atorvastatin had been ordered by private supplier Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd., under the Indian credit line made available to procure urgent requirements, including medicine.MP Jayasumana said that of USD 200 mn allocated for the import of medicine, a part had been allocated to the private sector as they, too, lacked sufficient USD to place orders.

Prof. Jayasumana said so responding to yesterday’s lead story headlined ‘Procurement of cholesterol lowering drug: SL to lose heavily due to questionable deal with Indian company.’

Jayasumana said that he held health portfolio at the time the Indian credit line became operational. “Therefore, I had to set the record straight. That particular procurement had been made by the private sector not the health ministry as erroneously alleged by a trade unionist,” he said.MP Jayasumana was responding to a statement issued by Ravi Kumudesh, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science, regarding the procurement of Atorvastatin by the Health Ministry.Alleging that the procurement had been finalized above the previously paid price therefore the government stood to lose USD 240,000 a month, the trade unionist urged the government to stop the embezzlement of funds.

Lawmaker Jayasumana made available a copy of the relevant invoice. Responding to queries, MP Jayasumana said that he asked Kumudesh about the issue at hand. The former minister maintained that it had been a slip-up on the part of the trade union. Having received a copy of the invoice pertaining to Atorvastatin purchase, the trade union had issued the statement on the presumption the order was placed by the Health Ministry.India on March 17, 2022 announced a USD 1 billion line of credit as part of its financial assistance to help Sri Lanka deal with its economic crisis.

Lawmaker Jayasumana said that following consultations among relevant parties, the finance and trade ministries decided to allocate USD 200 mn out of USD 1 bn for the procurement of medicine. Of the allocation for medicine, the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) had been given USD 126 mn and the remaining amount divided among other importers. They are State Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) USD 4 mn, local manufacturers USD 25 mn and private sector suppliers USD 45 mn.Prof. Jayasumana said that SPMC required funds for the procurement required raw material and other services for the manufacture of drugs. In fact, the SPC never bought Atorvastatin from any overseas supplier, Prof. Jayasumana said, adding that in addition to the SPMC, there were at least three other local producers, including Hemas Pharmaceuticals.

Prof. Jayasumana lost health portfolio in the wake of the appointment of a new cabinet following the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 09. Keheliya Rambukwella, who served as the health minister at the time President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reshuffled the cabinet, regained the same portfolio in the new cabinet of ministers.MP Jayasumana said that the procurement process had been delayed by some of the Indian suppliers requesting that the payments be made through their regular banks instead of the State Bank of India chosen for the transfers of money. Following intervention made by Prof. G.L. Peiris, in his capacity as the Foreign Affairs Minister, the health ministry was able to sort out the matter.

Referring to the recent disclosure of shortcomings in procurement procedures following examination of the SPC by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Prof. Jayasumana emphasized that the country lacked wherewithal to procure essential supplies.Medicine and medical equipment had been among the items that were in short supply and recent media reports revealed how the global community backed Sri Lanka’s efforts to maintain health services.In addition to the Indian credit line and funds re-allocated by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, several countries provided medicines and medical equipment as well as much needed funds, the former health minister said.

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Latest News

Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

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

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

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 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.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.