Former Health Minister and incumbent Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was remanded over his alleged involvement in the controversial human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) case, has been admitted to the Welikada Prison Hospital.

This was, after the Minister, who was arrested on Friday (2) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was remanded until 15 February by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama. The Minister was also named as the eighth suspect in the case.

Prior to Rambukwella’s arrest, seven other arrests were made in connection with the IVIG case. However, the fifth suspect was later released on bail. Accordingly, the former Health Ministry Secretary, the Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD), three other officials of other MSD, and the owner of the company which is said to have supplied the substandard batch of immunoglobulin vials, now remain in remand custody.

During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, speaking on behalf of the prosecution, claimed that the former Health Minister had amended the procurement process that governs the import of medicine. She alleged that Rambukwella had removed suppliers registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and had enabled unregistered suppliers to enter the procurement process. 

Presenting to the Magistrate a Cabinet paper previously tabled by Rambukwella, the Deputy Solicitor General pointed out that there was no shortage of IVIG vaccine when he sought Cabinet approval to make emergency purchases for a list of certain medicinal drugs. She also emphasised that no document was uncovered during the investigations to corroborate the need to prepare the Cabinet paper in question.

Responding to a query put forward by the Magistrate, the Deputy Solicitor General mentioned that while recording a statement with the CID, Rambukwella had revealed that the list of medicines was given to him by the MSD. He had further claimed that the Cabinet memorandum was not prepared by him.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratna, representing the accused, said that all Cabinet ministers should be brought forward for questioning. He expressed doubts as to how the entire Cabinet of Ministers were misled by a single document.

The prosecution argued that Rambukwella’s bail application should be rejected since he has been charged under the Public Property Act. After taking into account all the submissions made, the Maligakanda Magistrate said that Rambukwella, as the then-Health Minister, must be responsible for all actions carried out by the ministry beyond just signing a document.