Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has raised serious concerns over the slow progress of investigations into large-scale corruption and irregularities within the Ministry of Health.
He said that although sufficient complaints supported by evidence have been submitted to the Bribery Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding corruption, fraud, and financial mismanagement during the tenures of former Health Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Channa Jayasumana, the efficiency of the investigations remains unsatisfactory.
Dr. Sanjeewa alleged that several doctors and senior officials who held key positions in the Health Ministry during those periods currently occupy top roles in the same ministry and related government and non-government institutions. He warned that this situation raises suspicions that the investigations are being deliberately delayed to protect high-ranking officials.
He further said it was regrettable that investigations were being stalled due to fears that certain influential officials could disrupt the public service if legal action was pursued against them.
Dr. Sanjeewa also claimed that ministry officials did not provide adequate cooperation to law enforcement agencies when facts related to corruption under the administration of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella were revealed.
Meanwhile, the Auditor General has highlighted serious financial losses incurred during the administrations of the former ministers in institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Medical Supply Unit, the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the Drug Regulatory Authority, and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation.
Dr. Sanjeewa warned that selective investigations into politically sensitive cases while neglecting probes into high-ranking officials could be detrimental to the government and erode public trust in the justice system.
He added that although he has already provided statements to the authorities on several occasions regarding the relevant complaints, there has been no meaningful progress, and urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to take direct action to ensure that the investigations are carried out without further delay.
