Former Health Ministry Director granted bail in substandard IVIG case

The Court of Appeal has instructed the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court to grant bail to Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, the former Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division, who was in remand custody over allegations related to the import of 'substandard' human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) vials.

Dr. Wickramanayake's release on bail was ordered following a writ petition filed by his legal representatives, who challenged the lawfulness of the Magistrate’s Court decision to remand him.

In November 2023, Dr. Wickramanayake, along with Assistant Director Devashantha Soloman, Accountant (Supplies) Neran Dhananjaya, and Stock Controller Sujith Kumara of the Medical Supplies Division, were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with the case involving alleged substandard immunoglobulin imports.

Other individuals implicated in the case include former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta, Additional Health Secretary Dr. Saman Ratnayake, and the owner of the company accused of supplying the substandard IVIG vials.