By: Isuru Parakrama

November 21, Colombo (LNW): Several former Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers, including Ramesh Pathirana, Roshan Ranasinghe, and Prasanna Ranatunga, arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning (21) to provide statements regarding the controversial importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.

The vials, which failed quality tests after being cleared for import, have been at the centre of a widening investigation into alleged malpractice in the procurement process.

Former Minister Harin Fernando, who is also implicated in the case, has announced that he will appear before the CID tomorrow (22) to provide his statement in connection with the ongoing inquiry.

The investigation into the importation of the substandard human immunoglobulin vials began following a court order on November 12, when the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court instructed that statements be recorded from 18 former Cabinet Ministers.

These individuals, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and several other former ministers, were part of the Cabinet that had approved the controversial Cabinet paper presented by then-Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, which paved the way for the importation of the drugs.

The Attorney General’s Department has specified that statements from these individuals are crucial to understanding the scope of the alleged malpractice, with some key figures from the previous administration now under scrutiny for their roles in the decision-making process.

In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) disclosed that fraudulent documents had been submitted to Customs for the clearance of the consignment of human immunoglobulin vials.

The batch of vials, which was supposed to be a vital supply for patients, failed subsequent quality tests, prompting further investigations.

The case has already led to several high-profile arrests. In the months prior, a number of officials from the Health Ministry, including the former Health Secretary, former Additional Health Secretary, and the Director of the Medical Supplies Division (MSD), were arrested and remanded in connection with the scandal.

These arrests also included three other officials from the MSD, as well as the owner of the company said to have supplied the substandard vials.

The arrests have not been limited to Ministry officials; in May 2024, Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana, a former Deputy Director of the MSD, was granted bail after spending time in remand custody.

Similarly, in July 2024, the Court of Appeal ordered the release of Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, the former Director of the MSD, on bail.

To date, a total of 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, but most have been released on bail, with only one remaining in remand custody.

Sudath Janaka Fernando, the owner of the company implicated in supplying the substandard vials, is currently receiving medical treatment while in custody.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who had been in remand for over seven months, was granted bail on September 11, 2024.