Approval was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers at the cabinet meeting held on 05-02-2020 to sign an agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Israel for the temporary employment of Sri Lankan workers in specific labor market sectors in the State of Israel.

Accordingly, the implementation plans (Protocols A, B, C, D, E,, and F) for the recruitment of workers in the sectors of domestic care, agriculture, construction, hotels, housekeeping, cleaning services, manufacturing, and catering services have been signed from time to time. Under the aforementioned agreement, the
Government of Israel has officially expressed its willingness to recruit Sri Lankan workers for employment in the commercial and service sectors in Israel.

Accordingly, the consensus of the Cabinet of Ministers has
been given to the provisions taken by  the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to sign the ‘G’ protocol under the agreement already signed between the two parties which will enable the employment of Sri Lankan workers under that sector.

Approval was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers at the cabinet meeting held on 12-10-2020 for the establishment of Sahasya Investment Company, with the objective of maintaining highways, determining strategic methods for further development of these expressways, and utilizing modern technologies for the minimization of costs.

Accordingly, approval was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers at the cabinet meeting held on 25-03-2024 for the formal assignment of daily operations and management of the
expressways to Sahasya Investment Company. However, Sahasya Investment Company has not implemented the relevant operations so far, and no activities relevant to the objectives of this company have been performed since its inception. The Road Development Authority has been assigned tasks such as planning, creation, construction, and maintenance of national roads and expressways by the Road Development Authority Act No. 73 of 1981.

Since the technological expertise necessary for the management of these assets, institutional capacity, and the vision for long-term asset management have been possessed by the aforementioned Authority, it has been recognized that the transfer of ownership and regulation of these assets to the Sahasya Investment Company by the Road Development Authority would exceed the legal authority provided to the Road Development Authority.

Therefore, taking these matters into account , the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint proposal presented jointly  by the President , in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, and the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, to liquidate the Sahasya Investment Company and to manage the network of expressways, associated lands, and other relevant activities through a separate operational unit under the Road Development Authority.

Interdicted Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana yesterday (29) alleged that the powers that be moved against him for seeking the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) investigation into a massive fraud at the NHSL laboratory.

Dr. Bellana said so in response to The Island query regarding the circumstances the Health Ministry interdicted him on 18 December, through a letter, as directed by the Health Committee of the Public Service (PSC) Commission. “That letter has been signed by an Additional Secretary, as Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was overseas,” Dr. Bellana said.

Dr. Bellana stated that the government had paid for reagents, contaminated or close to expiry dates, obtained from a leading local medical supplier, since 2022. He emphasised that his complaint to the CIABOC, and subsequent complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were entirely based on the issues raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).

Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana said that the public funds, amounting to Rs. 900 mn, had been spent on chemical reagents past expiry dates. Regardless of the intervention made by the NAO, the NHSL continued to procure supplies from the same company, Dr. Bellana said, adding that he had received the unconditional support of the civil society. Among them were Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), President of Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh, and leader of Mage Rata Sanjaya Mahawatta.

Dr. Bellana said that he had complained about the scam to the CIABOC in June this year.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who also lodged a complaint with CIABOC, regarding the same matter, is on record as having said in September this year that the reagents had been procured over a three-year period without the proper approval of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry. Dr. Sanjeewa has alleged that some of the reagents were either contaminated or close to expiry dates, while contracts had been given to a single company at unapproved prices.

Dr. Bellana said that had there been a proper system for CIABOC and law enforcement authorities to act on findings made by the NAO they wouldn’t have personally intervened in the NHSL laboratory matter. “Parliament should look into this. Did Parliament take up the NHSL laboratory matter at the relevant watchdog committee or at the Sectoral Oversight Committee that handled health?” Dr. Bellana asked.

Asked whether the letter that informed him of his interdiction gave any specific reason for the action taken, Dr. Bellana said the Ministry had found fault with him for speaking to the media. The irate ex-official said that he never hesitated to take a stand against injustice. “When former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of corruption, pertaining to medical procurement, I condemned the Minister. Lambasted those responsible for wrongdoings.”

Dr. Bellana said that the NAO had dealt with mega crime involving the public and private sector. “That is the undeniable truth. Parliament should look into this as public money is its responsibility. Having vowed to stamp out corruption, the NPP was allowing and encouraging those who had been making money at the expense of the sick, Dr. Bellana said.

Dr. Bellana said that as many as 10,000 tests were conducted daily at the NHSL. The racketeers had been active during Aragalaya as the NHSL and the private supplier reached agreement in 2022 and the process continued even after the last presidential election, conducted in September 2024.

Dr. Bellana said that the long delay in finalising the Auditor General’s appointment exposed the government. If those holding high political office were genuinely interested in fighting corruption, they wouldn’t have allowed that Office of AG stay vacant even for a day.

Dr. Bellana noted the tough statements issued by the Bar Association, Transparency International Sri Lanka and the Committee on Public Finance demanding the immediate appointment of AG.

Health Ministry officials were not available for comment.

By Shamindra Ferdinando