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.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the life of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith serves as an exemplary model in an era when the moral and spiritual values of society are in decline.
The President made these remarks yesterday (July 07), delivering a speech at the felicitation ceremony organized by the Archdiocese of Colombo to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s sacred priesthood. The event was held at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo.
The President stated that His Eminence is deeply engaged in a tireless mission to uphold social harmony and spiritual upliftment. He is a statesman who has rendered a significant service to the country, a theological scholar capable of articulating the teachings of the Bible with clarity, a powerful orator with the ability to awaken society and above all, a true humanitarian whose influence extends beyond these roles.
The President further affirmed that every possible step will be taken to ensure justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, without allowing the passage of time to obscure the truth. He emphasized that this is a challenge the government must confront, even within its own institutions and no matter how difficult it may be, justice must be served.
Addressing the gathering, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith reflected on his 50 years of priestly service and commended President Anura Kumara Disanayake for his success in ending a 75-year era of autocratic rule. He also expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts to dismantle a political culture rooted in spreading division among ethnic communities and emphasized the need for a new approach as the country moves towards becoming a prosperous nation.
On this occasion, to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s priesthood, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were officially presented to the President.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was born in 1947 in the Polgahawela area of Kurunegala. He was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, by Pope Paul VI. Thereafter, he served in various roles including Assistant Parish Priest, Acting Parish Priest, Lecturer in theology and professor at the seminary. He is proficient in multiple languages including Sinhala, Tamil, English, German, French, Spanish and Indonesian.
In 1991, under the leadership of then-Archbishop His Eminence Nicholas Marcus Fernando, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with his episcopal ordination taking place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte.
Subsequently, on June 16, 2009, Malcolm Ranjith was appointed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. A year later, on November 20, 2010, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Italy. With this appointment, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith became the second Sri Lankan to receive the blessing of holding the title of Cardinal. He has held numerous positions both nationally and internationally, including serving as chair of several international assemblies.
His Eminence has been the recipient of numerous international accolades, including the Thomas Aquinas Medal for Religious Studies awarded by the Thomas Aquinas College in the United States and the 7th Giuseppe Sciacca International Award for Cultural Achievement, conferred in 2008 by the President of the Italian Republic. A respected writer as well, he has contributed a multitude of articles to journals and newspapers.
Ven. Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Nayaka Thero extended their wishes during the occasion.
The event was also graced by the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas, religious leaders from all faiths, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, the Charge de Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature Msgr. Roberto Lucchini, Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Most Rev. Maxwell Silva and Most Rev. Anthony Jayakody, other Catholic clergy, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, several Ministers and Members of Parliament, Commanders of the Tri-Forces, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ambassadors and many other distinguished invitees.
Mohamed Sheriff Abdul Wazeeth was sworn in as a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) National List MP before Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (July 08).
He took over the Parliamentary seat that became vacant following the resignation of M.S. Naleem.
It has been reported that opposition ranks are planning to table a No-Confidence Motion against the Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
According to political sources, many opposition parties have already agreed to support the move, with a final decision expected to be reached today (July 08).
The NCM is said to be based on several allegations of the Speaker obtaining additional benefits, misusing powers of his office and acting in a biased manner, favouring the ruling party.
Meanwhile, during a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) group meeting yesterday, criticisms have been raised on certain facilities and privileges the Speaker is said to have obtained.
In recent weeks, several opposition MPs, including Dayasiri Jayasekara, have publicly criticised the Speaker’s conduct in Parliament.