CID grills Finance Ministry Secretary, officials over Immunoglobulin import case

28 November 2023 08:26 pm Views - 1720

Colombo, Nov 28 (Daily Mirror) - The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recorded statements from three officials of the Ministry of Finance, including Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, regarding the controversial Immunoglobulin import case.

The statements were recorded in compliance with a court order from the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court. 

The CID extensively recorded statements from Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, along with the Deputy Director of the Ministry and the Deputy Director General of the Development Finance Division. This process took place from 7 am to 5 pm on Tuesday.

Earlier, the CID had arrested the Director of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kapila Wickramanayaka, and three others, Niran Dhananjaya (Accountant - Supplies), Assistant Director Shanthi Solomon, and Pharmacist Sujith Kumara. They were arrested in connection with their alleged involvements in importing substandard Immunoglobulin injections using forged documents.

Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt.) Ltd., a medicine supplier in the local area, is suspected of importing a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) using counterfeit documents. The Sri Lanka Customs discovered this and, on 13 October, the Maligakanda Magistrate instructed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Subsequently, the CID initiated a comprehensive inquiry, resulting in the initial arrest of the owner of the company responsible for importing the substandard Immunoglobulin injections.