The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) said that the absence of NMRA Board Directors caused by the resignations of three Directors – attorney Manoj Gamage, Dr. Priyantha Serasinghe, and Supul Wijesinghe – has only a minimal impact on the NMRA’s functions even though the Ministry of Health is yet to take a final decision on filling the vacancies.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (20), NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that the NMRA has informed the Ministry to take measures to fill the vacancies as soon as possible since the Board of Directors plays a significant role in taking decisions. When queried as to whether the said resignations had hampered the functions of the NMRA, he said that they were doing their best to manage the situation and continue the functions of NMRA without obstructions. 

“There is no issue in not having the required number of Directors at the moment, as we manage the situation to the best of our ability. But, we cannot continue in this way. It is much better if the NMRA runs with the number of Directors with which it was initially constituted,” he said. He also noted that no other member has informed of their resignation apart from the aforementioned Directors, who were initially appointed by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Three NMRA Directors resigned recently, citing criticisms levelled at the NMRA regarding the controversial human intravenous immunoglobulin deal and the irregularities allegedly committed by the current NMRA administration. Tendering his resignation to the Health Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Gamage claimed that Dr. Wijewickrama was unhappy about him (Gamage) as he (Gamage) had opposed him (Dr. Wijewickrama) when he (Dr. Wijewickrama) was purportedly attempting to reverse certain decisions that had been taken by the Board of Directors earlier.