Keheliya Rambukwella, the former Health Minister, was arrested today evening (February 2) in connection with his alleged role in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). This arrest came after Rambukwella complied with a court order issued on Thursday, appearing at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) premises.
The former Health Minister arrived at the CID entering through the back door. Subsequently, he was arrested after providing statements for over 10 hours.
Originally scheduled to appear before the CID on January 31, Rambukwella had cited his involvement in a case at the Colombo High Court and a ministerial sub-committee meeting at the Presidential Secretariat for his non-appearance. Subsequently, he sought to reschedule his appearance, leading to a court order and a foreign travel ban issued by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama on February 1.
The arrest is connected to the procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin, an antibody produced by blood plasma cells. In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) uncovered forged documents submitted for Customs clearance, allowing the import of a batch of vials containing the substandard product. The NMRA revealed that funds amounting to Rs. 130 million were misappropriated in the unlawful procurement of 22,500 vials of IVIG.
Initially, seven suspects, including former Secretary to the Ministry of Health Janaka Chandragupta, were arrested in connection with the scam. Presently, the fifth accused in the case is out on bail, as ordered by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. The former Health Secretary, the Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD), three other officials from the same division, and the owner of the company that supplied the substandard batch of immunoglobulin vials remain in custody on remand.
The Maligakanda Magistrate's Court had issued an order for Rambukwella to appear at the CID at 9 am on February 2. Additionally, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama imposed a travel ban on the former Health Minister on the same day.
Protests from several civil organizations occurred outside the CID premises as Rambukwella arrived. In response, the police riot unit and heavy police security were deployed to the surrounding area.
The former Health Minister arrived at the CID entering through the back door. Subsequently, he was arrested after providing statements for over 10 hours.
Originally scheduled to appear before the CID on January 31, Rambukwella had cited his involvement in a case at the Colombo High Court and a ministerial sub-committee meeting at the Presidential Secretariat for his non-appearance. Subsequently, he sought to reschedule his appearance, leading to a court order and a foreign travel ban issued by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama on February 1.
The arrest is connected to the procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin, an antibody produced by blood plasma cells. In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) uncovered forged documents submitted for Customs clearance, allowing the import of a batch of vials containing the substandard product. The NMRA revealed that funds amounting to Rs. 130 million were misappropriated in the unlawful procurement of 22,500 vials of IVIG.
Initially, seven suspects, including former Secretary to the Ministry of Health Janaka Chandragupta, were arrested in connection with the scam. Presently, the fifth accused in the case is out on bail, as ordered by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. The former Health Secretary, the Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD), three other officials from the same division, and the owner of the company that supplied the substandard batch of immunoglobulin vials remain in custody on remand.
The Maligakanda Magistrate's Court had issued an order for Rambukwella to appear at the CID at 9 am on February 2. Additionally, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama imposed a travel ban on the former Health Minister on the same day.
Protests from several civil organizations occurred outside the CID premises as Rambukwella arrived. In response, the police riot unit and heavy police security were deployed to the surrounding area.
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