CID summons doctors’ union chief to record statement

Procurement of fake Immunoglobulin:

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing procurement of fake Immunoglobulin by the Health Ministry has asked Deputy Director of the National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana to make a statement and furnish evidence he has in respect of the racket.

Dr. Bellana, who is also the President of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF), has been asked to be present at the CID today (28) at 10 am.

SSP K. A. Kavinda Piyasekera has, in a letter addressed to the Director of the National Hospital, stressed the need to obtain Dr. Bellana’s assistance to clarify his statements to the media regarding the fraud in the procurement of fake Immunoglobulin at a cost of Rs 130 mn. Among those who have been remanded in this connection is the former Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta.

The CID official has said that Dr. Bellana in his controversial statements disclosed some important facts relating to the investigations and, therefore, the CID needed to speak with him.

Dr. Bellana, President, College of Medical Laboratory Science Ravi Kumudesh and suspended medical officer Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa are leading a campaign against the Health Ministry over a spate of frauds involving officials of the Ministry, at various levels.

Dr. Sanjeewa was suspended in early Nov., 2022 by the Ministry of Health over a public declaration pertaining to malnutrition rates among children in Suriyawewa in 2022.

Dr. Bellana said that many an eyebrow had been raised when the CID visited former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s official residence on Dec 26 to record a statement, just a day after his counsel informed the CID of his client’s readiness to furnish a statement.

In a letter addressed to Director, CID, SSP Prasad Ranasinghe, Counsel U. R. de Silva offered documents including the correspondence between the Health Ministry and Gujarat-based Indian company that contradicted local supplier Sudath Janaka Fernando’s claim that the phials of Immunoglobulin were supplied by them. (SF)