Final rites of former Deputy Minister and former UNP parliamentarian – Palitha Thewarapperuma will be held later today (April 19).

His remains are currently lying at his residence in Yatadolawatta, Mathugama and according to reports, a large number of civilians have been arriving to pay their final respects.

His remains will be buried at the gravesite he had built himself sometime back.

The former Kalutara District MP died from electrocution earlier this week.

A prominent figure of the United National Party (UNP), Thewarapperuma had served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs in the UNP-led national government in 2015. He was also the chairman of the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha in 2002 and was also a member of the Western Provincial Council. He served as a Member of Parliament from Kalutara District from 2010 – 2020. 

He was popular for his active social services to the rural masses of his constituency, opting to join social work himself with his supporters, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and during natural disasters such as floods.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, the Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, had arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) premises this morning (19), complying with the summons issued to him.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) filed a Fundamental Rights Application (SCFR/ 99/2024) at the Supreme Court on April 16th, highlighting the serious ramifications on the health sector and the general public from the recent controversial procurement of medical supplies including human immunoglobulin (Human-IG).

The Cabinet of Ministers, the incumbent and former higher officials in the health sector, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, the companies involved in the controversial supplies of Human-IG, Treasury Secretary, Auditor General, Director General of Customs, Inspector General of Police, Members and Director General of CIABOC and the Attorney General are among the 66 Respondents named in the Petition.

The FR application has been filed in the public interest, with the aim of seeking accountability for the misuse of public resources and the violation of fundamental rights of citizens.

The Petition requests the Court to declare that the purported decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and the health authorities to procure medical supplies from Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd, Livealth BioPharma (Pvt) Ltd, Yaden International (Pvt) Ltd, Nandani Medical Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Divine Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Gulfic Biosciences Limited, Novachem Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd   is wrongful, illegal, unlawful, null and void, and of no force or avail in law.

Arguing that the actions or inactions of the Respondents amount to an infringement of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the Petitioners seek the intervention of the Court to review the issuance of Waivers of Registration in procuring medical supplies, and direct the Respondents to comply with the procedural safeguards imposed by law, regulations and rules to ensure transparency in procurement.

“It is evident that the alleged ‘emergency’ which prevailed in the healthcare sector was largely owing to mismanagement, giving rise to concerns as to whether such gross mismanagement is indicative of the machinations of individuals holding office in inter alia the Ministry of Health, who orchestrated the said emergency for ulterior motives,” the Petition states.

This Petition is filed in addition to TISL’s ongoing Petition (SCFR/65/2023), which was filed in February 2023, in view of the glaring malpractices and disregard for compliance with law when importing pharmaceuticals under the Indian Credit Line.

TISL, in its latest FR Application, requests the Court to direct the Auditor General to conduct a special inquiry into the decision to procure medical supplies from medical suppliers to whom Waivers of Registration had been issued, and compute the cost incurred by procuring medical supplies through them.

In addition, it requests the Court to direct the Attorney General (AG) to commence prosecution of persons identified to have obtained financial or other benefits through the procurement of medical supplies through the use of Waivers of Registration. It further requests the Court to direct the AG to recover the costs incurred to the State or the public, and seek compensation from the relevant parties mentioned in the Petition.

(lankabusinessonline.com)

 (This story, originally published by lankabusinessonline.com has not been edited by SLM staff)