The Colombo High Court has announced that it will deliver the ruling on the revision application filed by former Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella, seeking bail on April 3, 2024. This decision was made by Colombo High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka during the consideration of the petition on March 25.

Rambukwella, along with several others, is currently in remand custody in connection with the substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement case. His attorneys had submitted the revision bail application to the Colombo High Court on March 15 after the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court had denied bail for Rambukwella and others accused in the case.

The Magistrate had ordered them to remain in custody until the conclusion of the case under the provisions of the Public Property Act, with the case set to be recalled on March 28.

In his bail application, Rambukwella argued that the Magistrate’s decision to reject bail was unlawful and requested the High Court to release him on bail subject to any conditions deemed necessary.

The arrest of Rambukwella by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on February 2, in connection with the procurement of substandard IVIG, followed nearly 10 hours of questioning. The arrest came after pressure from civil society activists and health sector trade unionists, who demanded swift action.