CID grills Finance Ministry Secretary, officials over Immunoglobulin importation

• Statements recorded in compliance with an order from the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recorded  statements yesterday from three officials of the Ministry of Finance,  including the Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, regarding the  controversial Immunoglobulin importation.   

The statements were recorded in compliance with an order from the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.  

The CID extensively questioned Ministry 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 yesterday.  

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 involvement in importing  substandard Immunoglobulin injections using forged documents.   Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt.) Ltd., a medicine supplier  is suspected of importing a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin  (IVIG) using counterfeit documents. 

The Sri Lanka Customs discovered  this and, on October 13, 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 company owner responsible  for importing the substandard Immunoglobulin injections.