News
Bid to neutralise NMRA alleged as crisis worsens
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has reminded the government that the severe shortage of medicine and medical equipment as well as the continuing increase in the price of the entire range of medicines is due to the prevailing foreign currency crunch.
NMRA President Dr. Rasitha Wijewantha and CEO Dr. Sachin Semage said that attempts were being made to blame his institution for the crisis but the situation had taken a turn for the worse due to the severe foreign exchange shortage.
Responding to criticism of the NMRA, at a recent meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, to discuss the growing crisis in the health sector, the NMRA officials questioned the absurdity of blaming the regulatory mechanism as those in authority publicly acknowledged the shortage of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and all other essential services and products due to lack of foreign currency.
NMRA officials emphasized that interruption of electricity, transport and other services caused by financial turmoil largely contributed to the disruption of the industry. They pointed out that other regulatory bodies hadn’t been blamed for the crises in their respective sectors.
Among those who had been present at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat meeting were Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP Nimal Lanza, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene, Government Nursing Officers’ Association President and former UNP National List MP Saman Ratnapriya and President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science Ravi Kumudesh.
The NMRA has strongly denied accusations pertaining to the inordinate delay in releasing medicines and medical
equipment received as donations as the country struggled to meet both public and private sector requirements. The regulatory body declared that a special mechanism had been established to expedite the process.
Keheliya Rambukwella recently received the health portfolio after being replaced by Prof. Channa Jayasumana in April this year following a political crisis triggered by violent protests at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at Mirihana. Rambukwella previously received the health portfolio in August 2021 after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked Pavitra Wanniarachchi over the criticism of her handling of the Covid-19 epidemic.
At the meeting chaired by Premier Wickremesinghe, the NMRA has been accused of discouraging local producers of various medicines. The NMRA explained that a special unit that had been set up to look after the interests of the local producers over the past two months registered 150 new products. During the same period, 20 new producers were granted license to operate following checks, the NMRA said, adding that among them were four producers of four new products.
The NMRA also explained measures taken during the past two months to expedite the release of medicine and equipment received from abroad.
The NMRA has warned of efforts by unscrupulous elements taking advantage of the current crisis to import and produce low quality products while making attempts to weaken regulatory measures. The NMRA has urged the government to be wary of these elements who may pursue strategies with a view to making profits in the future.
The NMRA has advised those in authority to take tangible actions to address the issues at hand or face the consequences.
Meanwhile, the People’s Movement for the Rights of Patients (PMRP) in a letter dated May 28 has urged Premier Wickremesinghe not to take a hasty decision to bring the NMRA under the purview of the Health Ministry.
The outfit’s Joint Secretary C. Perera has pointed out that the NMRA had been established to regulate, minimize corruption and make available quality medicines at affordable prices to the general public. But, some interested parties seemed to be working overtime to undermine the NMRA, the organization stated. A spokesperson for the outfit said that those elected and appointed to the Parliament should be ashamed of the situation. “We are begging for life saving medicines and equipment from various countries and lending agencies after having failed at least to properly assess the situation,” the spokesperson said, urging the Parliament watchdog committee COPE to inquire into the matter.
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama. Consultant Physician, IDH, has queried the attempt to blame the NMRA for the current crisis as the minister in charge if the health portfolio was responsible for making available sufficient funds.
The top specialist said that disrupting the regulatory mechanisms would benefit those who received commissions for granting ‘registration’ for substandard medicines and medical equipment.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
