Former Health Minister & Officials Indicted / Maligakanda Magistrate TrialRanil Wickremesinghe Administration (2022–2024) • Year: 2023

Substandard Human Immunoglobulin & IV Medicine Procurement Case

Category: CORRUPTION • Investigating Authority: CID / Maligakanda Magistrate Court / CIABOC

Named Parties / Involved Entities:

Keheliya Rambukwella (Former Minister of Health) • Dr. P. Rathnayake (Former Health Secretary) • Sudath Janaka Fernando (Isolez Biotech Pharma AG)

Verified Allegation / Matter Summary

Procurement of counterfeit and substandard Human Immunoglobulin (IVIG) injections for government hospitals using forged National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) waivers of registration, with funds disbursed to a local supplier through emergency Indian Credit Line channels.

Documented Public Financial Impact

Rs. 0.13 Billion

Per National Audit / Forensic Reports

Judicial Proceedings & Current Legal Status

⚖ Maligakanda Magistrate remanded former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Secretary, and company directors under the Public Property Act. Indictments filed before High Court; trial actively proceeding.

Case Timeline & Procedural Milestones

2023-10-03

Doctors at National Hospital flag adverse allergic reactions in patients receiving IVIG.

2023-11-01

CID commences criminal investigation into forged NMRA import certificates.

2024-02-02

CID arrests former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella following 10-hour interrogation.

2024-09-11

High Court Trial-at-Bar proceedings initiated.

Auditor General & Forensic Audit Citations

Auditor General interim inquiry noted gross circumvention of NMRA quality safety protocols and unauthorized emergency procurement waivers.