President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday reshuffled the Cabinet of Ministers, removing controversial Minister of health Keheliya Rambukwella, only to grant him the title of Minister of Environment. Three more changes were made to the motley crew that makes up the Cabinet.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, while Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was appointed as the Minister of Health in addition to his current portfolio as the Minister of Industries, and the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was appointed as the non-Cabinet Minister of Plantation Enterprises in addition to his current post.

Pressure was building to sack Minister Rambukwella following multiple crises in the health sector, some of which were results of long-term issues. However, there is little doubt that the controversies over the shortage of medicines and the growing tumour of corruption and malpractice in procurement of medicines and pharmaceuticals which occurred under Rambukwella’s watch, required action. While the patient who runs from clinic to clinic, and pharmacy to pharmacy may breathe a sigh of relief, believing that “the President has acted. He has sacked Minister Rambukwella”, the fact remains that the corruption and what some believe is criminal negligence which has plagued the public health systems remains unaddressed. 

The Government will no doubt use the removal of Rambukwella from the health portfolio to mitigate the damage done, by saying they have acted. But they have not as all that’s happened is that Rambukwella has moved on to new pastures, the allegations which were made against him and the officials who worked under him remain. If acted properly, the Government must have conducted a robust and transparent investigation into the allegations.  

We must not be under the illusion that shifting portfolios will bring justice. The same officials and the culture of corruption which has plagued the Ministry of Health remains intact. There should be a complete restructuring of the Health Ministry, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), and the Medical Supplies Division (MSD). Further, if the allegations of corruption against the minister are with factual evidence, what will become of the Ministry of Environment? Let us not forget, under the Ministry of Environment, are state institutions which also have a long history of corruption allegations. A key one being the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB). Recent sessions before the COPE committee in Parliament are testimony to the practices and culture that such institutions run on. Thus, will swapping caps of parliamentarians who have allegations help solve the issue? Surely, it will not. Also, just because Minister Ramesh Pathirana was a critic of the alleged corruption at the Ministry of Health, and that he being a medical doctor, is not enough guarantee that he can fix the long-entrenched practices at one of the most vital ministries in the country.  

The public must not be fooled by the smoke and mirrors that Wickremesinghe, who is a master of political survival, has pulled off. 

Those who lost their lives or were adversely affected by substandard medicines, deserve justice. So do the millions who were forced to spend more from what little they had due to medicine shortages. The sufferings of the vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, who are dependent on the free health care system, had to undergo over the last two years, remains unaddressed. The public must maintain the pressure on the State to ensure that those responsible, including state officials, private companies, and politicians are held accountable. The pressure for change from the masses; for a better culture of governance and administration and the culture within state institutions, particularly in vital establishments like in the health sector, must continue if Sri Lankans are to gain a system they can depend on. 

As such, remain vigilant, voice your displeasure at corrupt practices and malpractice. Push for meaningful change. We are owed that much from the State.