News
Immunoglobulin case: 13 ministers tell CID they trusted Keheliya
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court that 13 former Cabinet ministers had given statements stating that they gave approval to then Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s cabinet proposal, which led to the procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin vials amid a shortage of medicines in the country at the time.
Presenting evidence based on the CID’s report, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama told Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama that based on the Supreme Court’s order pertaining to this particular investigation, 13 Cabinet ministers had so far given statements to the CID.
The ministers had told the CID that they gave approval to the Cabinet paper for the procurement of what later turned out to be substandard human immunoglobulin vials, believing Mr. Rambukwella and taking into consideration the dire situation in the country at the time, and with the intention of overcoming the medicine shortage. They had told the CID that they would have opposed the Cabinet paper had they known Mr. Rambukwella was presenting false information.
Former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has asked for another date to provide a statement while former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and former Ministers Susil Premajayantha and Tiran Alles, too, will be noticed to appear before the CID to provide statements in this regard, DSG Girihagama told court.
Taking matters into consideration, Magistrate Abeywickrama ordered that the first suspect, Sudath Janaka Fernando, be further remanded till December 13. She further ordered all suspects who are currently out on bail to be present in court on February 21.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!