Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today in connection with the ongoing probe into the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections will be produced in court tomorrow, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told Zira Daily.
He will be produced in the Maligakanda Magistrate's.
Rambukwella arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department around 9 am today, complying with the order issued by the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court.
He arrived at the CID headquarters reportedly through a back entrance, and underwent over 12 hours of interrogation before being arrested.
In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) revealed that forged documents were found to have been submitted for Customs clearance to procure a batch of vials containing human immunoglobulin, an antibody produced by blood plasma cells, which later failed the quality tests.
Investigations revealed that local medicine supplier named Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt.) Ltd. had imported a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), allegedly by producing forged documents to the Sri Lanka Customs.
Meanwhile, when former Health Minister Rambukwella arrived at the CID, several civil organizations came in front of the Department to protest against him. Accordingly, security had been tighten with police riot unit surrounding area.
Following the news that former health minister was arrested by the CID over the allegations, the civil activists who were outside the CID were seen celebrating.
