Ex- Health Secretary’s arrest to lead to arrests of top health officials

• Recent arrests further shed light on Immunoglobulin scandal  

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The arrest of former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday is poised to unveil additional facts regarding the Immunoglobulin scandal, leading to the apprehension of several high-ranking health officials.  

According to sources, the top health officials who could possibly be arrested include former NMRA CEO Dr. Vijith Gunasekera and Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Saman Rathnayake.   

The former Health Secretary was arrested last afternoon after the CID recorded a statement over the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections.   
With regard to the ongoing investigations related to the substandard Immunoglobulin scandal, several officials including the Director of the Medical Supplies Division are currently in remand custody.   

Trade unions representing health professionals have raised concerns that the recent arrests made by the CID in connection with the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections are only targeting lower-level individuals, while the masterminds behind the scandal remain at large.   

•  Several officials including the Director of the Medical Supplies Division are currently in remand custody

Magistrate orders to seal Medical Supplies office 

By Manopriya Gunasekera  

Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama Weerasinghe yesterday ordered the Deputy Director General of Health Services to immediately seal the Medical Supplies office of the Ministry of Health and further ordered the CID officers to inspect the office today (19) and provide the necessary support to find the documents related to the Immunoglobulin scandal.