Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been further remanded until April 08 in connection with the substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) vials procurement scandal.
He appeared before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on Thursday afternoon (March 28).
Other accused individuals in the case include former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta, Additional Health Secretary Dr. Saman Ratnayake, Director of the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Kapila Wickremenayake, Deputy Director of MSD Thusitha Sudarshana, Assistant MSD Director Devashantha Soloman, MSD Accountant (Supplies) Neran Dhananjaya, MSD Stock Controller Sujith Kumara, and the owner of the company alleged to have supplied the substandard batch of IVIG vials.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Rambukwella on February 02 over his alleged involvement in the procurement of substandard IVIG vials.
The arrest followed pressure from civil society activists and health sector trade unionists, who demanded the immediate apprehension of the lawmaker.
On February 29, Rambukwella’s attorneys filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition challenging his arrest by the CID and seeking Rs. 100 million in compensation.
After the Maligakanda magistrate denied bail on March 14, Rambukwella, through his legal counsels, filed a revision petition with the Colombo High Court to be granted bail under any condition.
The verdict of this bail application is scheduled to be delivered on April 03.
In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) revealed that forged documents were submitted for Customs clearance to procure a batch of vials containing human immunoglobulin, an antibody produced by blood plasma cells, which later failed quality tests.
