Deadlock over appointment of new NMRA Chief

• Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama tipped to be new NMRA Chief

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The new Health Minister has reportedly faced a series of challenges in appointing a new chairman to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Daily Mirror learns.

Sources close to the matter told Daily Mirror the Minister had wanted leading physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama to be appointed as the new NMRA Chairman.

Nevertheless, several key individuals had come up with several other suggestions to which the Minister had objected. After back-and-forth, the Minister had finalised the appointment of Dr Wijewickrama.

However, a brief ceremony to hand over the appointment letter to Dr Wijewickrama was cancelled yesterday (30) as the Secretary to the Ministry was not ready with the appointment letter.

Dr Wijewickrama who initially refused to accept the position was convinced by concerned parties to take up the position as he possesses the full potential and experience.

Despite the setbacks, it is highly likely that Dr Wijewickrama will be appointed as new chairman of the NMRA. The NMRA under the leadership of current chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne has faced an array of allegations with regard to the influx of inferior quality of medicines in the recent past.

Meanwhile, the NMRA CEO Dr. Vijith Gunasekera is also to be replaced.       

• Current chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne has faced an array of allegations with regard to the influx of inferior quality of medicines in the recent past