Former Health Minister arrested

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested in connection with his alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

The arrest comes hot on the heels of mounting pressure from civil society activists and health sector trade unionists who have been calling for the immediate apprehension of the lawmaker.

The current Environment Minister arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) premises on Friday morning, complying with a court order issued yesterday. He was grilled for nearly 10 hours.

On Thursday (Feb.01), the Maligakanda Magistrate ordered the former health minister to appear before the CID to record a statement on his alleged involvement in the substandard medicine procurement scandal.

Additionally, the lawmaker was slapped with a foreign travel ban.

Meanwhile, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Saman Ratnakaye was grilled by the CID officers for nearly 10 hours on Wednesday.