The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched an investigation into an alleged Rs. 2,500 million reagent procurement fraud at the Colombo National Hospital.
The inquiry follows complaints filed by Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Union Alliance, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, and Ravi Kumudeshu of the Chemists' Association. The complainants have requested a full investigation into the purchase of chemical reagents from 2022 to 2025 without proper approval from the Medical Supply Unit, and the procurement of reagents that were expired or nearing expiry.
Dr. Bellana alleged that the irregular purchases had contributed to significant financial losses during a period of severe economic strain. He said that despite repeated warnings about procurement irregularities, previous hospital management had failed to take corrective action. According to a recent audit report, serious corruption, fraud, and procedural violations have now been confirmed in the reagent procurement process.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sanjeewa claimed that some top officials of the Ministry of Health were attempting to obstruct the investigations. He said that although three months had passed since complaints were submitted to the Alles Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the progress of the investigations so far was encouraging.
He further alleged that certain senior health officials, specialist doctors, and laboratory officers implicated in the case were using their influence within government institutions to suppress the inquiry.
Dr. Sanjeewa urged the Director General of the Bribery Commission to take immediate steps to expedite the investigation, warning that key evidence and documents could be destroyed if timely action is not taken.
