Keheliya, others further remanded until 22 April

By AJA Abeynayake

Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama yesterday (08) further remanded six persons, including the former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, over the procurement of fake immunoglobulin.

They were remanded until 22 April, 2024.

Those currently held on remand over the pharmaceutical scam include former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta, Additional Secretary of Health Ministry Dr. Saman Ratnayake, the Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division and three other officials of the same division, as well as the owner of the relevant company which sold a stock of fake immunoglobulin to the Health Ministry.

The Criminal Investigation Department commenced a probe into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had supplied 22,500 phials fake Immunoglobulin vaccines by submitting forged documents with the assistance of the two senior state officials.

Investigations revealed that a financial fraud amounting to Rs. 130 million had been carried out.

Rambukwella’s revision application seeking bail was rejected twice by the Colombo High Court recently.