Maligakanda Chief Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama today (11) granted bail to three suspects, including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who had been in remand custody for nearly eight months in connection with the distribution of substandard drugs to hospitals, which allegedly endangered the lives of patients.
The seventh suspect, former Deputy Director of the Ministry of Health Ratha Kumara Herath, and the 12th suspect, former Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority Dr. Vijith Gunasekara, were released on cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each.
Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General’s Department, objected to the bail request for Rambukwella. She argued that if the former Health Minister required specialized treatment beyond what the prison hospital could provide, he should be transferred to the Colombo National Hospital or the National Institute of Mental Health under judicial supervision. Girihagama further emphasized that the court should facilitate necessary medical care for Rambukwella’s heart condition.
However, Magistrate Abeywickrama considered the health condition of Rambukwella and granted him bail.
The case, filed by the Criminal Investigation Department, involves several suspects, including the first suspect, Sudath Janaka Fernando, the owner of Bala Shiksha Sapyu Company. Fernando, who is currently remanded, was not produced in court today as he was undergoing treatment at the Angoda Psychiatric Hospital. Reports submitted to the court by the medical board indicated that both Fernando and Rambukwella were suffering from serious mental health conditions, with Rambukwella also facing a severe heart condition.
Counsel for Rambukwella, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, highlighted that his client was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal tendencies, which the prison hospital was not equipped to manage. He further argued that Rambukwella’s condition could result in permanent disability, which could not be effectively treated in a government hospital, and requested bail on any suitable terms.
In response, Deputy Solicitor General Girihagama challenged the medical records presented by the defense, pointing out that the documents submitted dated back to 2019 and did not reflect the current medical condition of the accused. She contended that the court lacked the authority to grant bail based on outdated medical reports and requested that Rambukwella be transferred to a governmecnt hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
After reviewing all submissions, the court granted bail to the seventh and 12th suspects on the terms mentioned, while further proceedings regarding the other accused continue.
