– Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has alleged that the failure to properly investigate past corruption and fraud incidents in the health sector, despite evidence submitted to authorities, is causing a grave injustice to patients.

He said he and the Auditor General had provided evidence to the Criminal Investigation Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption regarding several incidents that allegedly took place during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and afterwards.

He claimed that the failure to conduct proper investigations and take legal action against responsible state officials had raised serious concerns about continuing corruption and fraud within the Ministry of Health and related institutions.

According to Dr. Sanjeewa, the Auditor General had presented evidence concerning the substandard drug controversy, the alleged reagent fraud at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, and irregularities within the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.

He alleged that despite nearly a year passing since the reported Rs. 2,500 million reagent fraud at the Colombo National Hospital, investigations into the incident had not been properly carried out and tenders were still being awarded to the same controversial company.

Dr. Sanjeewa further claimed that officials linked to alleged corruption within the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and other institutions continue to remain in their positions due to the failure to take appropriate action against them.