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NMRA’s WoR issued through a special procedure sans formal approval!

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The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) disclosed that the Waiver of Registration (WOR) Certification by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had been issued through a special mechanism without the approval of the formal committee.

This was disclosed during the recent (12) meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) held in Parliament, chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera. 

The meeting was held to review the Auditor General’s reports for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and current performance of the NMRA.

During the meeting, extensive discussions took place regarding the intervention of the NMRA in the emergency procurement of medicines. 

It was disclosed that the WOR certification had been issued through a special pathway, bypassing the formal committee approval process, utilizing a fast-track mechanism. This process has thus allowed the Chief Executive Officer to make unilateral decisions regarding emergency purchases. It was further disclosed that the Chief Executive Officer who held office in 2022 was involved in this special mechanism and that approval for the bulk purchase of medicines was sought during a dinner event held at a prominent hotel in Colombo. However, the doctors representing the Board of Directors opposed this move, and the matter is currently under judicial review in the Supreme Court.

Following discussions at length, COPE decided to call the former Board of Directors of the NMRA holding office during the relevant period before the Committee for further investigation.

Additionally, the COPE highlighted the need to regulate the use of perfumes and creams due to the health issues associated with them. However, it was disclosed that no institution has legal authority in this regard. The officials present pointed out that the necessary legal provisions should be made in this regard and their institution should be given authority. Accordingly, the COPE instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to take the necessary legal steps to provide the NMRA with the required authority.

The committee also discussed the regulation of drug prices. Officials stated that there was no price control unit until 2022, however, a unit was established the same year and drug price comparisons are thus conducted regionally. COPE instructed the officials to remove the existing obstacles related to the drug pricing formula and implement it without delay.

When questioned about the inspection of imported drugs, the officials disclosed that there was an issue with laboratory facilities for testing. Upon inquiry about the NMRA’s financial reserves, the officials stated that there was a reserve of Rs. 7 billion. COPE directed the NMRA to utilize these funds to establish a laboratory for post-import testing of drugs.

Furthermore, COPE instructed the NMRA to promptly address the weaknesses in the existing NMRA Act to facilitate efficient operations.

In addition, the COPE Chair stated that a sub-committee would be established to further investigate the NMRA. The names of the members of this sub-committee will be announced in due course.

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Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain close airspaces

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Iran has launched missiles at a US airbase in Qatar in response to strikes on its nuclear sites on Saturday.

Qatar confirms the attack on the US-run Al Udeid base, calling it a “flagrant violation” and says it reserves the right to respond directly.

The country has temporarily closed its airspace and US and UK citizens have been advised to shelter in place.

Meanwhile, Kuwait and Bahrain have also closed their respective airspaces.

(Agencies)

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China offers openness to all South Asian countries – Kusal Perera (Video)

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The 9th China-South Asia Expo, which opened on June 19 in Kunming, China, will conclude tomorrow (June 24).

This year’s event held under the theme “Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development, has attracted over 1,400 companies from 54 countries and regions, with Sri Lanka as the Guest of Honour country and Thailand as the special partner nation.

China-Sri Lanka bilateral trade reached a record high of USD 5.36 billion in 2024, representing a 13.4% year-on-year increase. This makes Sri Lanka China’s fastest-growing trade partner in South Asia.

The Sri Lankan pavilion was officially declared open by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade and Commerce – Wasantha Samarasinghe and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arun Hemachandra, who jointly led the country’s high-level delegation to the prestigious regional event.

CGTN’s Ms. Li Qiuyuan spoke with Mr. Kusal Perera, a political analyst and writer for ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’, about his expectations for the expo.

Speaking, Mr. Perera said that Sri Lanka needs to see how the ‘export basket’ can be diversified from the traditional export goods such as tea, in order to make the most of this platform to boost bilateral trade and engagement with China.

When asked which emerging areas such as energy transformation, digital economy and low carbon development seem to be the most promising for the island nation, Mr. Perera highlighted the importance of a combination of energy, technology and environment. “But in the process, we also have to have our national economy planned to accommodate all that,” he emphasised, adding that it will be a long process for Sri Lanka.

He further commented : “I see China opening up instead of getting into protectionism like Europe. It’s basically the second largest economy in the world… still expanding… still improving… still developing…”

China’s economic openness for all South Asian countries is a huge opportunity in a global economy that now retreats with regulated and protected markets. Protectionism would not be a catalyst for economic growth. We in South Asia have to be open too. China is already open and its economy is growing on global trade. It’s their openness that has taken them everywhere” he adds.

(Video : CGTN)

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Fresh probe into Shiranthi’s bank account

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Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs – Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala has informed Parliament that a renewed investigation is underway into a fraudulent bank account allegedly maintained by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He stated that a fake account titled ‘Siriliya Saviya’ had been opened in her name and that the mandate form related to the ‘Siriliya’ Organization’s bank accounts had been fraudulently removed from the bank.

The Minister further revealed : 

The account, now suspended, was opened on November 14, 2006, at the People’s Bank, Suduwella Branch, Darley Road, Colombo 10, under account number 143/1/001/4/6235069. Shiranthi Rajapaksa is listed as the chairperson of the account, with Kalyani Dissanayake as secretary and Nirosha Jeevani as treasurer.

The account currently holds a balance of Rs.43 million. Records indicate that Rs. 82,900,088 had been deposited on 88 occasions, while Rs.39,015,656 had been withdrawn on 129 occasions. Additionally, a fixed deposit of Rs.10 million had been opened under the name ‘Siriliya’.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has resumed investigations into the matter.

Deputy Minister also mentioned several other questionable financial transactions involving the Rajapaksa family, such as ;

  • Rs.152 million allegedly obtained by CSN (Carlton Sports Network) from the Treasury.
  • Rs.35 million obtained by Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Urban Development Authority to build a memorial for his parents.
  • Rs.208 million used by Basil Rajapaksa to purchase a house in Malwana.

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