News

Keheliya goes to India to buy medicine from unregistered company

Published

1 month ago

December 22, 2022

editor

The Health Ministry has obtained the Cabinet approval to import 28 medicines, which are not registered at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), from an Indian company outside the procurement process.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA have left for India yesterday (21) for the preliminary work of importing medicines from this company.

Internal sources at the ministry said the entire cost of the visit has been borne by the Indian company.

It is also revealed that an amount of USD 46 million received under the Indian credit facility is to be used to purchase these medicinal drugs.

The health sector is faced with a serious crisis due to the shortage of essential medicines.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Rambukwella has stated in a report presented to the Cabinet on October 25 that there are insufficient stocks of 151 types of essential medicines, 5,268 items including surgical equipment, 850 chemicals and 18 radioactive materials.

Therefore, the Cabinet has been informed that a private company in India has agreed to supply the necessary medicines for three months.

The drugs produced by the company in question are not registered with the NMRA, and the manner in which the company was selected is also not mentioned in the Cabinet paper.

Permission has been sought to purchase medicines from several other companies as well.

Although the Health Minister has informed the Cabinet that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka has given approval to these medicines, the medicines used in Sri Lanka are approved by the NMRA.

Since the proposed supplier has been selected on the basis of urgency, the Finance Ministry has informed that the price and the quality of medicines should be discussed.

After receiving approval for that Cabinet paper, the Health Minister had again presented a Cabinet paper on December 5 to buy medicines from another company.

The Cabinet paper has been submitted for the import of pharmaceuticals from a private company located in Chennai, India. Accordingly, 28 types of medicines are to be imported. This company’s drugs are not approved by the NMRA.

Meanwhile, an Indian Credit Facility Coordinating Unit has been established at the Finance Ministry to import medicines using the credit facility. It has also been backed by the Indian High Commission.

The Health Ministry has informed the Cabinet that more than 1,000 files have been submitted for obtaining medicines, and it has taken a long time to get the approval.

(Aruna)

News

No COVID-19 deaths yesterday

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

No COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed yesterday (29) by the Director-General of Health Services.

Accordingly, the current COVID-19 death toll remains at 16,828.

News

Racecourse murder : Boyfriend further remanded

Published

6 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

The university student who was held in remand custody for allegedly murdering his girlfriend with a sharp weapon at Race Course grounds in Colombo has been remanded further.

Taking up the case today (30) Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis ordered him to be further remanded till February 13.

The magisterial inquest into the death was held today before Colombo Chief Magistrate and

A testimony of the deceased’s father was recorded before Chief Magistrate and further magisterial inquiry was fixed for February 13.

The suspect was not produced before Court by prison authorities since he is currently receiving treatment at the Mental Health Unit of prison hospital.

News

Constitutional Council approves several judicial appointments

Published

6 hours ago

January 30, 2023

editor

The Constitutional Council met today (30) in Parliament presided by Speaker and the Chairman of the Constitutional Council – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MPs Sagara Kariyawasam, other council members Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere, Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne were present at the Council meeting held.

MP Kabir Hashim, had informed his inability to attend this meeting due to unavoidable circumstances.

The Constitutional Council considered the recommendation of the President to appoint K.P. Fernando, President of the Court of Appeal as a Judge of the Supreme Court, to the post which fell vacant with the retirement of L.T.B. Dehideniya, Judge of the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Council unanimously approved the above recommendation.

Further the Constitutional Council unanimously approved the nomination of N.B.P.D.S. Karunarathna, Judge of the Court of Appeal to be appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal, and the nomination of Mr M.A.R. Marikkar, High Court Judge to be appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal to the resultant vacancies.

The Constitutional Council further decided to publish the advertisement on newspapers of 1st February 2023, calling for applications for the appointment as Members of the Commissions specified in Schedule to Article 41B of the Constitution. Draft format of the application would be published on the Official Parliament website. The deadline to submit applications is 15th February 2023.