Call for probe as Keheliya-era officials remain in Health Ministry

Colombo, April 2 (Daily Mirror) - Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has called for an immediate investigation into Sri Lanka’s health sector, alleging that officials appointed during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella continue to hold key positions, contributing to a worsening crisis.

Issuing a statement, Dr. Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, claimed that senior doctors and pharmacists who previously served in top roles across institutions such as the Ministry of Health, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, National Medicines Regulatory Authority, and the Medical Supplies Division remain in influential posts under the current administration.

He warned that the failure to act on audit findings highlighted by the Auditor General has led to a serious decline in the health system. According to him, concerns over corruption and irregularities in drug procurement and distribution during past administrations have not been adequately addressed.

Dr. Sanjeewa pointed to the Attorney General’s notification to the Supreme Court regarding a planned Criminal Investigation Department probe into nearly one million drug imports as an indication of potential large-scale malpractice.

He further alleged that regulatory bodies have failed to function effectively, noting that weak oversight by the medicines regulator and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s inaction on audit reports could allow questionable dealings with pharmaceutical suppliers to continue.

Highlighting administrative shortcomings, he said key positions, including a permanent Deputy Director General of Health Services and a Director for the Medical Supplies Division, remain vacant. He added that repeated complaints by officials over irregular tender procedures have gone uninvestigated.

Dr. Sanjeewa urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint a special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to conduct a comprehensive probe into the alleged irregularities and restore public confidence in the health sector.