News
Kumudesh questions Keheliya’s stand on drugs imported outside procedure

By Rathindra Kuruwita
There was no way the Health Minister could ensure the quality of the drugs that are not registered in Sri Lanka, the President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh, told The Island yesterday.
Recently, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in Kandy that it took between six to 12 months to bring down medicines with the approval of the National Medicines egulatory Authority (NMRA). To address the current shortage of drugs, the government had imported drugs used in developed nations, although they were not registered here, the Minister said. If there were side effects, he would take responsibility, Rambukwella added.
Kumudesh said the problem is not that Indian drugs were bad. “There are high quality drug manufacturers there. However, the Minister’s claim that he will take personal responsibility if something goes wrong, is ludicrous. What will he do? What can he do?” Kumudesh asked, adding that certain experts were prejudiced against the Indian drugs. On the other hand, the Minister is pushing the NMRA to accept Indian drugs. This tug of war has also contributed to the shortage of drugs and the procurement of low-quality drugs, he added.
“Ensuring the quality of drugs is the responsibility of the NMRA. Neither the Minister nor Health Ministry officials can take that responsibility,” he said, adding that some experts that advise the NMRA on technical issues are staunchly anti-Indian and that prevented cheap but quality drugs and chemicals being procured.
“The Minister says the NMRA takes a long time to test and register drugs. This is not true. There are ways to fast-track the process. Why is the Minister supporting the import of unregistered drugs? If the drugs are used in Japan and the EU, surely the NMRA will approve them,” he said.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
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.
Latest News
Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
News
RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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