Immunoglobulin import case: Finance Ministry refutes involvement

29 November 2023 08:36 pm Views - 900

Colombo, Nov. 29 (Daily Mirror)- The Ministry of Finance clarified that CID officials, during their visit to the Treasury on November 27 and 28, had obtained statements from the Director of the Department of Development Finance and the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Finance on the procurement of human immunoglobulin drugs and the process followed in utilizing funds from the Indian Line of Credit.

Contrary to some media reports, the Ministry asserted that no Treasury officials had visited the CID headquarters. Instead, they had cooperated solely to assist the CID in understanding the correct procedures for procurement and fund utilization.

In terms of the court order by the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court, the CID was asked to obtain statements from Treasury officials concerning the procurement guidelines applicable with regard to utilizing of funds from the Indian Line of Credit. 

The Department of Public Finance and the Department of Development Finance are the relevant Treasury departments responsible for the overall procurement guidelines and the administration of the Indian Line of Credit, the Ministry said.

"Treasury officials provided documents relating to communications that occurred between the relevant Departments in the Treasury and the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has no involvement in the specific procurement carried out. We will continue to extend our fullest support to the CID and to the courts in carrying out the investigations," the Ministry said.