The Attorney General today (26) filed an indictment against 12 defendants, including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, before the Colombo Permanent High Court-at-Bar in connection with the procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin antibody drugs.
The indictment includes 13 charges related to the alleged misuse of public funds during the economic crisis in 2022. The charges stem from claims that officials in the health sector bypassed standard procurement procedures by falsely portraying a shortage of essential medicines.
The investigation was launched following reports that three patients—from Kandy, Matale, and Colombo—suffered complications after receiving human immunoglobulin, one of the drugs procured under the questionable process. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) initiated a probe based on two complaints received regarding the matter.
A case was subsequently filed before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court, naming 12 individuals as suspects. These include Sudath Janaka Fernando, the supplier of the substandard immunoglobulin, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandra Gupta, and several other senior health officials.
Although 10 suspects were arrested and later released on bail, the main suspect—supplier Sudath Janaka Fernando—remains in remand custody.
On June 19, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama informed the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court that the CID had concluded its investigations after a period of one year, eight months, and six days.
Following this, the indictments were formally filed before a three-member High Court bench appointed by the Chief Justice. The bench comprises High Court Judges Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranaweera, and Pradeep Abeyratne.
The case revolves around allegations of conspiracy to fraudulently misappropriate Rs. 1,444,000 in public funds by supplying 6,195 vials of substandard human immunoglobulin and another non-pharmaceutical substance, Rituximab, to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.
According to the indictment, the prosecution is prepared to present nearly 350 witnesses and around 300 exhibits during the trial.
