Deadlock over appointment of new NMRA Chief

31 October 2023 05:33 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The new health minister has reportedly faced a series of challenges in appointing a new chairman to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the Daily Mirror learns.

Sources close to the matter told the Daily Mirror that the Minister had wanted leading physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama to be appointed as the new NMRA Chairman.

Nevertheless, several key individuals had come up with several other suggestions to which the minister objected. After a back-and-forth, the Minister finalized the appointment of Dr Wijewickrama.

However, a brief ceremony to hand over the appointment letter to Dr Wijewickrama was cancelled yesterday (30) as the Secretary to the Ministry was not ready with the appointment letter.

Dr. Wijewickrama who initially refused to accept the position was convinced by concerned parties to take up the position as he possesses the full potential and experience.

Despite the setbacks, it is highly likely that Dr Wijewickrama will be appointed as new chairman of the NMRA.

The NMRA under the leadership of current chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne has faced an array of allegations with regard to the influx of inferior-quality medicines in the recent past.

Meanwhile, the NMRA CEO Dr. Vijith Gunasekera is also to be replaced. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 6

Dee Tuesday, 31 October 2023 06:04 AM

Even if the almighty becomes health minister, the health system won’t improve! It will eternally be run down by the unionist crooks from top to bottom!

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Nimal Tuesday, 31 October 2023 06:48 AM

These two guys to be replaced have now carved names for themselves, together with the former minister of health, as notorious crooks, too happy to put the lives of patients at risk for their personal gain. Together they can now open a funeral undertaker's shop.

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Pravin Tuesday, 31 October 2023 07:53 AM

The clear act of sabotage by the mafia suggests very clearly that the new minister has made the absolutely right choice in the person to head the NRMA! Trust he will go through with it and clean up the stables.

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Uthum Tuesday, 31 October 2023 10:03 AM

Incredible that the Secretary to the Ministry was not ready with the appointment letter! This seems to suggest that the Secretary may need to be removed too to ensure the clean of of the Health portfolio is not hampered. The rot seems to be very entrenched. Hope the president supports the new minister by summarily removing the Secretary if needed.

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ravin Tuesday, 31 October 2023 10:12 AM

Oh! oh! we can grasp what is going on. Vested interested parties may be behind the scene actors.

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Ram Tuesday, 31 October 2023 10:58 AM

Ministry Sec could be having a different agenda to stall this appointment

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