• Files FR against Keheliya et al. in the SC 

The main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) claimed that the conduct of the Director of the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) in the Ministry of Health and his frequent foreign trips in the midst of an acute shortage of medicine, are very questionable.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the SJB head office, former SJB Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman alleged that no one in the MSD and the Ministry knows about the purpose behind these mysterious foreign trips of the MSD Director when the whole country is suffering without essential medicines. He alleged that the SJB is suspicious as to whether the Director of the MSD indirectly supports the creation of a medical shortage, thereby paving the way for the Health Minister (Keheliya Rambukwella) and his inner circle to engage in emergency purchasing under the guise of medicine shortages. 

“The MSD has the authority to import and supply medicine. Therefore, its Director has a huge responsibility. But, the incumbent is not in the country every time when he is needed and he is instead overseas. We are very suspicious about these trips when the whole country is in chaos. Not only him, but also the Health Minister is not in the country. So, the other officers in the MSD are in a problematic situation when having to make decisions on time,” he claimed. 

He further claimed that while the MSD Director is yet to repair the broken computer system in the MSD, he however has more time to enjoy all the comforts of travelling overseas. Therefore, he urged the relevant authorities to take actions against the relevant individual and to launch an inquiry into his conduct.

Meanwhile, SJB MPs Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana and Harshana Rajakaruna yesterday (31 August) filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition with the Supreme Court (SC) against Rambukwella and several other parties, claiming that the Government has violated the Fundamental Rights of Sri Lankan citizens by importing substandard medicines.

The Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha and the MSD Director H.M.K. Wickramanayake were not reachable for comment.