Former Minister Harin Fernando stated today (November 22) that he does not believe the then-Cabinet of Ministers is responsible for approving the import of substandard human immunoglobulin vials.
Fernando made these remarks when speaking to reporters after arriving at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement about the incident.
Earlier, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court ordered statements from 18 former Cabinet Ministers, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, regarding the approval of the controversial drug import in a Cabinet paper presented by then-Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
Fernando emphasized that Cabinet members rely on secretaries and ministry officials to prepare and recommend such decisions, stating:
"At least 60 to 70 papers are presented to the Cabinet daily. Once submitted, the Ministry of Finance provides recommendations. This is the usual process. We will respect the court and share what we know."
While most of the 18 former ministers recorded their statements yesterday (November 21), Fernando appeared today to provide his testimony.
