March 13, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has been briefed on irregularities surrounding the purchase of medicines during the tenure of former Health Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella.

The session, held recently, saw key officials from the health sector, including those from the National Medicine Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka (NMRA), provide crucial insights into the matter.

Among those present were NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, CEO Saveen Semage, and Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the Director General of Health Services.

It was revealed that crucial technical documentation had been absent from records related to the medicines purchased during that period.

Both Dr. Wijewickrama and Mr. Semage confirmed that the paperwork issued by the previous NMRA Board failed to include necessary technical details, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the procurement process.

Dr. Gunawardena spoke out during the meeting, highlighting his reservations about the transparency of the procurement procedure. He disclosed that he had been handed a file outlining a “special path” for purchasing medicines, a process he deemed problematic.

Dr. Gunawardena explained that, due to the lack of supporting documentation, he had advised the Health Ministry Secretary against granting approval for the purchase without the required papers.

He added that he had expressed his concerns through formal recommendations, but his role had been limited to this advisory capacity.

Further complications emerged when Dr. Pradeep Kumarasinghe De Silva, a board member of the NMRA, revealed that a board meeting had been organised abruptly, just prior to a planned dinner for the NMRA staff. During this meeting, the issue of medicine procurement was raised, but it was revealed that the details of the purchases were not open for discussion.

Dr. De Silva explained that a document listing several medicines was submitted for approval at the end of the meeting, but when board members questioned the lack of discussion, they were told that Cabinet approval had already been granted. This raised concerns about the lack of transparency and due process in the decision-making.

Prof. Priyadarshani Galappaththi, a member of the expert committee tasked with investigating Anaphylaxis incidents related to drug use in healthcare facilities in 2023, shed further light on the situation. She disclosed that the Medicines Evaluation Committee had been sent a list of 300 medicines for approval, many of which were subject to a request for a waiver of registration.

Prof. Galappaththi and her colleagues had objected to the approval of these medicines, citing concerns over their safety and the lack of adequate evaluation. However, they were informed that the medicines were considered “essential,” and failure to approve them could lead to a shortage in Sri Lanka.

In a particularly concerning revelation, Prof. Galappaththi stated that some of the companies involved in the procurement had previously been blacklisted, yet they were still allowed to participate in the bidding process.

The COPE committee was also informed that during this period, Professor S. D. Jayaratne served as the head of the NMRA, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera as the CEO, and Keheliya Rambukwella as the Minister of Health.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a statement today confirming that there have been no revisions to the maximum retail prices for raw rice, despite reports circulating that some rice mill owners and wholesalers are attempting to sell rice at inflated prices.

According to the CAA, these traders have been misleading retailers, suggesting that the government’s price regulations on rice have been altered.

As a result, numerous retailers have been approaching authorities with queries, uncertain whether the controlled prices still apply.

The CAA has firmly stated that the maximum retail prices for raw rice, as per the official gazette notification, remain intact. There has been no change to the prices set by the government, and they continue to be as follows:

• Raw red rice – Rs. 220 per kg
• Nadu rice – Rs. 230 per kg
• Samba rice – Rs. 240 per kg
• Keeri Samba rice – Rs. 260 per kg

The regulatory body has also reassured the public that it will continue to monitor and enforce these price controls with the utmost diligence.

Regular raids and investigations will be carried out across the country, with legal action planned against any vendors found attempting to sell rice at prices above the regulated limits.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): A man believed to be the brother of infamous organised crime figure Balachandran Pushparaj, more commonly known as “Pukudu Kanna”, has been apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The arrest occurred earlier this morning (13th March) when officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detained the individual as he arrived in Sri Lanka from India.

Authorities confirmed that the 36-year-old, identified as Balachandran Gajendran, was attempting to enter the country with a forged passport.

Gajendran, who hails from Jampettah Street in Colombo 10, is currently in police custody. He is expected to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.

Sources within law enforcement have indicated that Gajendran’s ties to the criminal underworld, particularly his association with his notorious brother, are of significant interest to investigators.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): Medical professionals and staff at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital have officially ended their strike following successful discussions with the relevant authorities, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced.

Earlier today (13) at 8.00 am, the 24-hour nationwide strike initiated by the GMOA was also brought to a close. The strike had been called in response to the distressing sexual assault of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, which had left the medical community in shock and disbelief.

Whilst the main suspect in the assault was promptly arrested, medical staff at the hospital initially chose to extend their protest, citing concerns over the lack of adequate security measures for hospital employees.

The call for better safety protocols within hospital premises had become a key demand, as healthcare workers expressed their fears over the safety of both staff and patients.

The strike, which garnered significant attention, sparked widespread outrage and sympathy within the medical sector, with healthcare professionals across the country urging the authorities to take immediate action to improve security in medical institutions.

In light of the recent discussions with hospital and government officials, assurances were made regarding enhanced security measures, leading to the decision to call off the strike at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

It is hoped that these measures will not only address immediate concerns but also set a precedent for improving safety in healthcare settings nationwide.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): In a startling development, the Attorney General’s Department informed the Court of Appeal yesterday (12) that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon had been running a criminal network, allegedly exploiting police officers under his command for unlawful activities.

During the proceedings of Tennakoon’s petition to prevent his arrest, Additional Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris presented shocking details that implicated the police chief in orchestrating an attack on the W15 Hotel in Weligama.

According to Peiris, the assault, which resulted in the tragic death of a police sergeant, was not a random act of violence but rather linked to a personal vendetta between Tennakoon and the hotel’s owner.

Peiris went on to accuse Tennakoon of using officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to target individuals and settle private disputes, essentially turning law enforcement officers into a “paramilitary force” for personal gain.

The shocking claims suggest that the IGP had employed the resources of the police force not for official duties but to pursue his own interests and settle scores outside of the law.

The Additional Solicitor General also disclosed that Tennakoon had been evading arrest since February 27, with law enforcement authorities intensifying their search for him.

This revelation has raised serious questions about the extent of corruption within the highest echelons of the police force, as well as the abuse of power by senior officials.

The Court of Appeal is scheduled to make its ruling on Tennakoon’s petition on March 17, with the legal community and public eagerly awaiting the decision.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has retracted her earlier statement, in which she had directed education officials to refrain from inviting politicians to school events.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (12), she clarified that no official rule had been implemented regarding the matter, and insisted that her comments had been misunderstood.

In her address, the Prime Minister emphasised that there was no formal prohibition against politicians attending school functions, but underscored her belief that educational events should not be used as a platform for political purposes. She strongly rejected reports suggesting a ban, labelling them as inaccurate and misleading.

The Prime Minister’s clarification came in response to a question from Opposition MP D.V. Chanaka, who raised concerns over the recent visit to Henegama Madya Maha Vidyalaya by former Speaker Asoka Ranwala. Chanaka pointed out the contradiction between Amarasuriya’s statement as Education Minister last year and the continued participation of politicians in such functions, questioning whether her call should be complied with only by the members of the Opposition.

In her response, Amarasuriya expressed frustration over the media’s portrayal of her remarks and reaffirmed that there had never been any official decree preventing political involvement in school activities.

Despite this, it was noted that back in September 2024, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office had stated that during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister had explicitly advised against inviting politicians to attend school events.

This earlier directive had sparked confusion, with many interpreting it as an outright ban.

The Prime Minister’s remarks on Wednesday seem to indicate that, whilst she does not want political influence to overshadow educational activities, she does not view the matter as an issue requiring a formal restriction.

Many are left questioning the potential impact of political involvement in schools and whether further guidelines may be necessary to ensure the focus remains on education rather than political agendas.

March 13, Colombo (LNW): The sister of a man accused of sexually assaulting a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, along with another individual, has been arrested by police, authorities confirmed.

The two suspects, a 37-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, were detained late on the evening of Tuesday, 12th March, in the Nidikumbayaya area of Galnewa.

The woman is facing charges of assisting her brother in evading arrest, whilst the man is believed to be in possession of a mobile phone that was allegedly stolen by the main suspect during the attack, according to Police.

The primary suspect, a 34-year-old man from Galnewa, was captured yesterday (12) following a coordinated operation involving Galnewa Police and the Anuradhapura Police Special Task Force.

The man was found hiding in a dense forest area in Galnewa, where he was arrested after weeks of investigation.

The horrifying assault took place earlier this month when the victim, a lady doctor working at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, was targeted by the suspect. Police say the man threatened the doctor with a knife before committing the attack.

During questioning, the suspect led authorities to the location where the knife used in the assault was recovered, providing crucial evidence to strengthen the case against him.

The suspect is currently being held in police custody, and he is expected to be brought before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (13) for further legal proceedings.