Although they are of the view that there is no longer much of a need to bring a no confidence motion (NCM) against former Health Minister and incumbent Parliamentarian Keheliya Rambukwella as he has already stepped down as a minister, the Parliamentary Opposition stated that they would however discuss the steps that could be taken regarding him continuing to function as a MP.
The Opposition including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) recently stated that they were planning to bring a NCM against Rambukwella over his involvement in the controversial human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) deal.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, Opposition MP, attorney Wasantha Yapabandara, who has been working on the matter, said that the main purpose of planning to bring a NCM against Rambukwella was to remove him from the position of a Cabinet Minister. “The main argument we made was that he had no right to be a Cabinet Minister. By now, he has resigned from the ministerial (Environment) position, so, there is no longer the need to bring a NCM.” However, he said that the groups representing the Opposition have decided to discuss the steps that could be taken regarding Rambukwella continuing to be an MP, and that a related meeting would be held early next week.
A batch of IVIG had been suspended from use following the revelation that the local supplier named Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Private) Limited. They had imported the said IVIG batch by submitting forged documents for Customs clearing. Rambukwella and several Government officials were arrested in connection with the incident and subsequently placed in remand custody.
The SJB moved a NCM against Rambukwella in September of last year (2023), and it was defeated after being taken up for a vote in the Parliament. The NCM was presented by the Opposition over several issues in the health sector including the shortage of pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies and several deaths reported at Government hospitals due to the administration of substandard medication. During the vote, the NCM was defeated with 113 MPs voting against it and 73 MPs voting in favour.