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Request made to bring 22,500 vials when 56,000 were available

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Supplier Sudath Janaka Fernando, Director of the Medical Supplies Division Dr Kapila Wickramanayake, Assistant Director Deva Shanthi Solomon, Accountant (Supplier) Neran Dhananjaya and Stores Controller Sujith Kumara and former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha who were arrested in connection with the import of substandard immunoglobulin vials to the Medical Supplies Division, were ordered to be further remanded till January 10 by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama yesterday.

The prison had presented five suspects including the former Health Secretary to court, and it was informed that the director of the Medical Supplies Department, Dr.Kapila Wickramanayake, was being treated at the Colombo National Hospital due to an illness.

The Magistrate ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to obtain a statement from the first suspect in this incident, Sudath Janaka Fernando, who is the minor drug supplier, as per his statement.

Although the bail orders for the suspects were to be announced, the magistrate noted that the bail order would be postponed to the next day based on the facts presented, and informed that the bail order would be announced before hearing the further report on that day.

The magistrate had ordered the prison superintendent to detain all the suspects separately in the prison and if they are admitted to the prison hospital, to detain them there.

The submissions were made for more than five hours, whereupon the former Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta informed that he was fainting, the magistrate instructed the prison to keep him in a separate seat in the dock.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was severely criticized by the lawyers who appeared for suspects for giving statements to the criminal investigation department.The Magistrate ordered the CID to to follow a common practice in obtaining statements on behalf of all the suspects.

Informing the court of the progress of the further investigation regarding this incident, the Deputy Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department, Mini Girihagama, informed the court that the foremr Health Secretary by importing 56,000 vials of human immunoglobulin at the expense of Rs.1,444 lakhs of government money, has committed an offence under the Public Property Act. The Deputy Solicitor General said that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and informed court that she was against granting bail to the suspects.

The Deputy Solicitor General said the Criminal Investigation Department went to the house of former Health Minister Rambukwella based on his request and obtained a statement from him on Tuesday. She also informed the court that a related report would be submitted to the court.

The Deputy Solicitor General said that although the first suspect requested permission to import seven thousand five hundred vaccine vials according to the tender form, he was given permission to import 22500 vials and if he imported 22500 vials of vaccine, he would have to pay a sum of one billion rupees.

The Magistrate who appointed an Acting Magistrate to monitor Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake who is undergoing treatment at the National Hospital informed that the bail order will be announced for him in the next day.

The lawyer who appeared for him informed court that the wife and two children of Dr.Kapila Wickramanayake, currently undergoing treatmentin Ward 80 of the National Hospital, are undergoing treatment due to a stressful situation and asked him to consider the matter as a special case and grant him bail.

Deputy Solicitor General said that even if a farmer is in jail, his family also gets this stressful situation. Acknowledging that such matters are exceptional, she also informed that if bail is granted, bail should be granted to all those who are in prison.

The Deputy Solicitor General noted that the first suspect was not given any permission to manufacture vaccines. Since March 2020, permission has not been given to import pioneering chemicals into Sri Lanka. In such a background, tenders have been arranged and medicine bottles, water purification chemicals and equipment have been brought through the Customs. The Magistrate gave permission to issue an order to the Director General of Customs to submit the relevant documents.

Under the controversial procurement process, the manufacturer has been given permission to import these drugs under the emergency procurement process. According to the documents obtained from the Deputy Director General Saman Ratnayake, purchase annexes have been issued by the Medical Supply Unit on 12.13.2022 to bring the vaccines related to colon cancer to Sri Lanka.

Under the Indian Credit Line , the selected orders procured in 2006 and 2007 have been forwarded to the relevant sub-committee.

Anil Silva PC who appeared for Former Health Secretary said an emergency procurement committee was appointed. My client, Treasury Secretary, Chairman of the State Drug Regulatory Authority and others were there. It was appointed by the Cabinet. My client is an administrator. He did it out of spite. Doctors U.S.K. Dhanawatta, A.P. Sudarshan, Deputy Director of Medical Supply Division, Dr. Jayanath Buthpitiya and others were there.

The tender was awarded to the lowest bid after the committee decided. Order delays were reported. The money has been paid only after lengthy process. He has nothing to do with the payment. He has just sat on the procurement committee of the cabinet. Even when the former health minister said not to pay the money, the money was paid.

The case was fixed for January 10.

(dailynews.lk)

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PCB postpones PSL

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the HBL PSL X.

A statement from Pakistan Cricket Board says : 

The last 24 hours have seen a worsening of the situation on the LOC, increased incursion of 78 drones, and the firing of surface to surface missiles from India.

The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who has kept in view the reckless aggression from India that has escalated to a point where national attention and sentiments are rightly focused on the courageous efforts of the Armed Forces of Pakistan who are vociferously upholding the sovereignty of our beloved Pakistan.

The PCB and its players stand resolutely in solidarity with the families of the martyrs and our security personnel defending the nation.

The PCB recognizes the efforts and support of its partners, franchises, participating players, broadcasters, sponsors, and organizers in having ensured the smooth conduct of the tournament thus far, however; cricket while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause when the country is facing such callous opposition.

We, at the PCB, also have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home.

Yesterday, it was also announced that the IPL will also be suspended for a week.

Related News :

IPL suspended for a week over safety concerns

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Minister Nalinda elected President of Sri Lanka-India Parliamentary Friendship Association

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Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka – India Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament, the Department of Communications of Parliament said.

The revival meeting of the Friendship Association was held on May 08, 2025 in Parliament under the patronage of the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor. The event was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvie Salih, the Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.

At the meeting, Member of Parliament Dr. Kavinda Jayawardhana was elected as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka – India Parliamentary Friendship Association, the statement added.

During the meeting, representatives from both Sri Lanka and India highlighted the deep-rooted and enduring relationship between the two nations, spanning centuries. They emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary cooperation through exchange programs and sustained dialogue, according to the statement.

The Speaker expressed appreciation for India’s steadfast support during Sri Lanka’s most challenging times. He also highlighted the recent state visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India as a key milestone that has opened new avenues for bilateral collaboration. 

He also expressed his gratitude for organizing the upcoming Capacity Building Programme for newly elected Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka, to be conducted by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training of India later this month, it added.

Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, recalled the successful visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka and reaffirmed India’s commitment to support Sri Lanka across multiple sectors as a close and trusted neighbor.

In his speech, the newly elected President Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized the vital role of the Friendship Association as a bridge between the two Parliaments and expressed confidence in fostering meaningful engagement to deepen the already strong ties between Sri Lanka and India, it said.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Secretary of the Friendship Association he Dr. Kavinda Jayawardhana conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to India for its enduring friendship and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to continued cooperation.

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Vesak week commences tomorrow

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The National Vesak Week will commence tomorrow (May 09), under this year’s theme of “Let’s associate with noble people with good qualities.”

According to the secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera said that it will continue until May 16.

The official inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Center, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services during the Vesak week and the long weekend.

Meanhwile, the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat vendors, casinos, and clubs nationwide from May 12 – 14 May for the state Vesak Festival. 

A circular issued on April 29 instructs all relevant businesses to comply during the period.

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