Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said a secret report found at the Health Ministry had revealed that the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) had not been lost and would be implemented during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s third term.


He told a news conference that according to former Health and Nutritious Minister the report had not been published because most of it had been done during his time.


“The report reveals that NMDP has been handed over to him by the Legal Draftsman’s Department and he in turn gave it to President Rajapaksa.


Subsequently the report was presented to the Cabinet and the Cabinet referred it to an Expert Committee for further review and recommendations if necessary. The Expert Committee is in the process of accepting the views of the people,” the minister said.


He disclosed these facts in response to common opposition candidate and former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s claim that he was unable to implement the NMDP because the final draft had been lost.


“It is correct that because of the complexity of the process, the implementation of the NMDP has been delayed but the draft has not been lost,” the minister said adding that neither President Rajapaksa nor the drug companies had any hand in the failure to pass the NMDP in Parliament and added 95% of the work relating to the finalizing of the draft Act.


He said there was no doubt about the victory of President Rajapaksa at the January 8 when you see huge crowds at the rallies addressed by President Rajapaksa. (Sandun A Jayasekera)









Pix by Nisal Baduge