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All major decisions on emergency purchase of 182 types of drugs taken in 2022 while second suspect was in the UK
Controversial purchase of ‘human immunoglobulin’ from private sector
The emergency procurement of 182 items of pharmaceutical drugs, including ‘human immunoglobulin’ (HI) and ‘rituximab,’ had been decided by the Health Ministry based on a Cabinet decision taken on 26th September 2022, as per documents issued by the then Secretary, Ministry of Health, and that soon thereafter offers had been invited by an Emergency Procurement Committee (EPC), headed by the then Health Ministry Secretary. Offers had been opened on 3rd October 2022 and that the successful bidders had been selected by the EPC and informed shortly thereafter of their selection, having obtained the recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC).
These submissions were made before Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema Weerasinghe by President’s Counsel M.M. Zuhair who appeared with Anjana Rathnasiri and Rizwan Uvais for Dr. Wickramanayake, the 2nd suspect in the controversial government decision to purchase 182 pharmaceuticals, including HI, from private sector suppliers, under the Indian line of credit of US $ 200 million offered by the Delhi government in March 2022.
During virtually the entire year in 2022, when all the major decisions were taken to purchase from local suppliers, as decided by the Cabinet including HI and other pharmaceuticals, Dr Kapila Wickramanayake was in the United Kingdom on an officially released assignment and was not the Director in the medical supplies division of the Health Ministry.
The 28/10/2022 letter of the Health Secretary, also states that letters of acceptance of the selected offers had already been issued to the successful suppliers.
The second suspect had nothing to do with any of the major relevant decisions relating to this purchase and on his resuming duties as the Director, MSD, in 2023, he had no personal involvement, even at the delivery point in the Health Ministry Stores.
These submissions, Zuhair PC said, were being made based on the CID reports of investigations, dated 1st and 20th November 2022, made to the Maligakanda Magistrate, following certain incidents of adverse reactions on some patients, allegedly from the human immunoglobulin supplied by the first suspect’s company.
He said that according to the CID investigations, filed in Court dated 1/11/2023, the first suspect’s company had apparently disclosed in their offer to the EPC that the raw material for the production of ‘HI’ will be imported from the named Indian manufacturer and produced in Sri Lanka and supplied by and on behalf of the Indian Company.
Zuhair PC urged the CID to produce to Court, the Health Secretary’s letter, dated 28/10/2022, addressed to the Deputy Director General of the medical supplies division requiring payments for supplies to be done within 45 days, failing which delayed payments will cost the Ministry an additional 3% monthly charge payable to the supplier by the Ministry, whereas the penalty for late deliveries and quantity failures payable by the supplier can be waived by the Ministry.
When all these happened here in 2022, the second suspect Dr Wickramanayake was working in the UK. He is entitled to bail as the Public Property Act has no application considering the facts of this case, he submitted.
According to paragraph 18 of the police investigations, Counsel said, the successful tenderer of the human immunoglobulin is alleged to have submitted a forged WOR to the Medical Supplies Division, which is subject to investigation. The said supplier is the first suspect.
If so, it is the officials in the Medical Supplies Division who had been cheated by the Supplier, and these officials could be important witnesses. The Magistrate reserved order for 13/12/2023.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama appeared on behalf of the Attorney General for the CID. Kalinga Indatissa PC appeared for the first suspect Sudath Janaka Fernando, the supplier. Kasun Chanaka AAL appeared for the third suspect Shanthini Soloman. Roland Perera PC appeared for the fourth suspect Niran Danajaya. Asoka Serasinghe AAL appeared for the fifth suspect Sujith Wasantha Kumara.
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
