Connect with us

News

TISL files FR petition over Human Immunoglobulin & other controversial medical supplies

Published

on

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) filed a Fundamental Rights Application (SCFR/ 99/2024) at the Supreme Court on April 16th, highlighting the serious ramifications on the health sector and the general public from the recent controversial procurement of medical supplies including human immunoglobulin (Human-IG).

The Cabinet of Ministers, the incumbent and former higher officials in the health sector, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, the companies involved in the controversial supplies of Human-IG, Treasury Secretary, Auditor General, Director General of Customs, Inspector General of Police, Members and Director General of CIABOC and the Attorney General are among the 66 Respondents named in the Petition.

The FR application has been filed in the public interest, with the aim of seeking accountability for the misuse of public resources and the violation of fundamental rights of citizens.

The Petition requests the Court to declare that the purported decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and the health authorities to procure medical supplies from Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd, Livealth BioPharma (Pvt) Ltd, Yaden International (Pvt) Ltd, Nandani Medical Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Divine Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Gulfic Biosciences Limited, Novachem Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd   is wrongful, illegal, unlawful, null and void, and of no force or avail in law.

Arguing that the actions or inactions of the Respondents amount to an infringement of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the Petitioners seek the intervention of the Court to review the issuance of Waivers of Registration in procuring medical supplies, and direct the Respondents to comply with the procedural safeguards imposed by law, regulations and rules to ensure transparency in procurement.

“It is evident that the alleged ‘emergency’ which prevailed in the healthcare sector was largely owing to mismanagement, giving rise to concerns as to whether such gross mismanagement is indicative of the machinations of individuals holding office in inter alia the Ministry of Health, who orchestrated the said emergency for ulterior motives,” the Petition states.

This Petition is filed in addition to TISL’s ongoing Petition (SCFR/65/2023), which was filed in February 2023, in view of the glaring malpractices and disregard for compliance with law when importing pharmaceuticals under the Indian Credit Line.

TISL, in its latest FR Application, requests the Court to direct the Auditor General to conduct a special inquiry into the decision to procure medical supplies from medical suppliers to whom Waivers of Registration had been issued, and compute the cost incurred by procuring medical supplies through them.

In addition, it requests the Court to direct the Attorney General (AG) to commence prosecution of persons identified to have obtained financial or other benefits through the procurement of medical supplies through the use of Waivers of Registration. It further requests the Court to direct the AG to recover the costs incurred to the State or the public, and seek compensation from the relevant parties mentioned in the Petition.

Meanwhile, Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd and Livealth BioPharma (Pvt) Ltd are said to be owned by Sugath Janaka Fernando, the first suspect in the incident of supplying substandard Human-IG.

In addition, Yaden International (Pvt) Ltd is owned by Sashimal Dissanayake with its manufacturing operations carried out in Katunayake. (Mr. P. Dissanayake, a former chairman of the State Timber Corporation, who was caught while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million, is Sashimal’s father.)

Slim Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd is headed by one Sumith Premaratne.

Nandani Medical Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Divine Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, Gulfic Biosciences Limited and Novachem Lanka (Pvt) Ltd are all Indian companies.

(Excerpts : lankabusinessonline.com)

News

Over 8,000 ‘Dansal’ registered for Esala poya

Published

on

By

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI’s) Union of Sri Lanka says that around 8,355 ‘Dansalas’ have been registered islandwide for the Esala Poya festival.

Secretary of the Union – Chamil Muthukuda, stated that all organizers have been instructed to conduct these ‘Dansal’ in a hygienic manner.

Inspections of these ‘Dansal’ are to be carried out throughout the day today (July 10) with nearly 2,000 PHI deployed for this purpose.

Continue Reading

News

Esala Full Moon Poya Day marked today

Published

on

By

Today (July 10) marks Esala Full Moon Poya Day, a significant day in the Buddhist calendar.

This day commemorates several key events in the life of the Buddha and the history of Buddhism.

On this day, Prince Siddhartha renounced his royal life to become an ascetic in search of liberation from suffering.

It was also on an Esala Full Moon Poya Day that the Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, setting the Wheel of Dhamma in motion.

Other notable events on this day include the conception of Prince Siddhartha and the Buddha’s visit to Thusitha Heaven to preach to his mother.

The first Buddhist Council was also held on an Esala Poya Day, as was the birth of Prince Rahula.

In Sri Lanka, Esala Poya is particularly notable for the first local ordination of a Sri Lankan, Prince Arittha, under Arahant Mahinda following the introduction of Buddhism.

Additionally, the foundation for the celebrated Mahastupa (Ruwanvelisaya) was laid and its relics enshrined by King Dutugemunu on this day.

Sri Lankan Buddhists honor Esala Poya with ceremonies and festivals, including the famous Kandy Esala Perahera.

The day also marks the start of the annual rain retreat for monks, known as ‘Vas,’ beginning the day after Esala Poya.

Continue Reading

News

Showers & winds expected in several areas today

Published

on

By

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (July 10), the Department of Meteorology said.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva and Eastern provinces and in Mullaittivu district during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Southern province.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved