The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said that no party-level action would be taken against former Health Minister and incumbent Minister of Environment Keheliya Rambukwella, who was remanded for allegedly involving himself in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) during his tenure as Health Minister.

Speaking to The Daily Morning last week, SLPP General Secretary and Government Parliamentarian attorney Sagara Kariyawasam stated that no disciplinary action would be taken against Rambukwella since the particular matter was before the Judiciary and was yet to be resolved. He also said that the matter had now become a judicial matter, and that therefore, the involvement of the party was not required. 

Kariyawasam made these remarks in the wake of many parties, including the political Opposition and civil society, demanding his ouster from the respective ministerial portfolio. “The court must decide whether he is a convict or not. Until that happens, our party has nothing to do. We would not make any decision regarding the Minister until the case finishes,” he added.

The Daily Morning attempted to contact Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Bandula Gunawardana and several senior Cabinet Ministers like Mahinda Amaraweera and Prasanna Ranatunga to inquire as to whether any decision regarding Rambukwella’s ministerial position had been made, but none of them were available for comment.

Last week, Rambukwella was remanded until 15 February by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. The remand follows his arrest by the Criminal Investigations Department last Friday (2) in relation to the procurement of substandard IVIG vials.