Deletion of computer database of NMRA could be an act of drug mafia: AG

The Attorney General yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that deletion of the computer database of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) could be an act of drug smugglers.

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for the CID made these remarks when the magisterial inquiry into the alleged disappearances of data files at NMRA was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala.

The Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) told Court that the responsibility for maintaining the computer database of the NMRA had been vested with a private company named EPIC Lanka Technologies for five years.

The DSG alleged that the private company had failed to fulfill its responsibilities and the relevant files have been lost due to its negligence.

He further alleged that the private company has failed to preserve relevant data in the form of a backup data.

The Deputy Solicitor General warned that the disappearance of this database, has enabled pharmaceutical companies to set the prices for medicines according to their wish.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate decided to vacate its previous order issued preventing the updating of the relevant database.

On September 9, Harindra Kalpage the CEO of EPIC Lanka Technologies that managed the database of the NMRA, arrested in connection with this incident, was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Frther magisterial inquiry was fixed for December 9.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)