Connect with us

News

Court rejects Keheliya’s intervention plea

Published

on

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court dismissed a request by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to intervene in the ongoing case related to the controversial Human Immunoglobulin procurement deal as an aggrieved party.

Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema, in her decision, stated that the court and the Attorney General stands by the people.

The case filed over the controversial Human Immunoglobulin procurement deal was taken up at the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court, and President’s Counsel U. R. De Silva appearing for Ex-Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella requested to intervene in the matter as an aggrieved party, or an unsatisfied party.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, objected to this request and noted that there is no reason for the Ex-Health Minister to be named as an aggrieved party or an unsatisfied party.

She pointed out that the aggrieved party or an unsatisfied party, in this case in the people of the Sri Lankan Republic.

Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema pointed out that the court and the Attorney General appear for the unsatisfied people, and noted that counsel appearing for Keheliya Rambukwella can be seated in the court to observe the proceedings. 

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama pointed out that, given that several top officials from the Health Ministry are in the court dock, the responsibility in this matter directly falls on the Ex-Health Minister.

Therefore, she noted that allowing Keheliya Rambukwella to intervene as an aggrieved party in the maater, would raise concerns among the people with regard to the process of serving justice.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama also appearing for the Criminal Investigations Department, made several startling revelations to the court. 

Among them was that the Medical Supplies Division maintained a stock of 9,500 Human Immunoglobulin sufficient for a month when the tender for 22,500 Human Immunoglobulin vials was awarded to the supplier in question. 

She also pointed out that the tender was awarded for Rs. 1 Billion, at a time when measures underway to obtain 75,000 Human Immunoglobulin vials from the World Health Organization.

Upon considering the submissions that were made, Former health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta and six other suspects who are held in remand custody, were returned to remand custody until the 17th of January 2024. 

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Met. Dept. warns of heavy rain tomorrow

Published

on

By

The Department of Meteorology warns of heavy thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon and night (Nov. 14) in several areas due to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

The Department of Meteorology warns of heavy thundershowers exceeding 100mm after 2 pm tomorrow, especially in the provinces of Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern Provinces as well as in the Kalutara area.

With the General Election to be held tomorrow, the public is advised to visit polling stations early in the day, before the adverse weather.

Continue Reading

News

Foreigner arrested at BIA with cocaine in stomach

Published

on

By

The officers attached to the Narcotic Control unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake have arrested a passenger yesterday morning (Nov. 11) on suspicion of trafficking narcotic substances.

He had arrived from Sierra Leone via Istanbul by the Turkish Airlines flight TK 730.

After being put through a body scanner, it was revealed that the suspect had concealed drugs in his person.

Subsequently, the suspect was admitted to the Negombo Hospital and 17 pellets suspected of containing narcotics have been retrieved. However, the suspect had confessed that there are more pellets in his stomach.

The retrieved pellets and the suspect were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigations.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, the estimated street value of the seized cocaine pellets is around Rs. 13 million,

Continue Reading

News

IOC calls to suspend NOCSL Secretary General

Published

on

By

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has called for the immediate suspension of Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva.

Jerome Poivey, Associate Director, Institutional and Governance Services IOC NOC Relations Department in an email dated November 11, 2024 has urged Suresh Subramaniam, President, NOCSL to convene an urgent meeting of the NOC Executive Board and take appropriate action without any further delay, in accordance with the NOCSL Constitution.

The measure comes following the conclusions and the recommendations submitted by the NOC Ethics Committee.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved