CID to question 18 former cabinet ministers over Keheliya’s medicine import scandal

• The CID has requested permission to record statements from former Cabinet Ministers in connection with the case

By Manopriya Gunasekara

The Maligakanda Magistrate yesterday allowed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from 18 Ministers in the previous government led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who represented the Cabinet which approved the cabinet paper submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to import 182 types of medicines under the Indian loan scheme, allegedly by pretending there was a shortage of medicines.

Magistrate Ms. Lochani Abewickrama Weerasinghe gave this direction following a CID request to allow them to record statements from the former Cabinet Ministers in connection with the case.

Accordingly, the CID will record statements from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and other cabinet members Nimal Siripala, Douglas Devananda, Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardena, Mahinda Amaraweera, Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Harin Fernando, Ramesh Pathirana, Prasanna Ranatunga, Vidura Wickramanayake, Kanchana Wijesekera, Naseer Ahmed, Roshan Ranasinghe, Tiran Alas, Nalin Fernando and State Minister Jagath Pushpakumara.