• Says he initiated the complaint after learning about the substandard medication

By Ajith Siriwardana

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday he was the first complainant regarding the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections and that there was no need to record a statement from him.

He told a news conference at the Government Information Department that if the CID deems it necessary to obtain more details regarding his complaint, he was ready for that. 

“I am the complainant. I don’t need to give a statement regarding the complaint. A Complaint means a statement. Complaints include all the details. Someday, if they need to obtain more details regarding the complaint, there is an opportunity for that,” he said, responding to a question raised by a journalist whether a statement was recorded from the Minister regarding the incident.

Minister Rambukwella said he made the first complaint with the CID when he came to know about the incident involving the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections during a review discussion at the Ministry and added that he also wrote a two-page letter to the Attorney General Department seeking their advice on the incident.
When asked what led him to complain to the CID over the incident, Minister Rambukwella said he made the complaint after he came to know that the imported medicine stock was substandard and some forged documentation was involved.

Rambukwella said he advised the officials to stop the payment to the concerned supplier soon after he came to know about the foul deal.