The Supreme Court has ordered former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and three other respondents to be released on bonds while prohibiting them from leaving the country over unpaid compensation in a substandard medicines case.

In March, the court ordered five respondents, including Rambukwella, to pay compensation after ruling that fundamental rights had been violated in the importation of substandard medicines.

Rambukwella was ordered to pay Rs. 75 million but has paid only Rs. 20 million, according to submissions made by his lawyer.

The latest order followed a motion filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka alleging contempt of court over the failure to pay the full compensation.