- CSOs want assets of Cabinet-Dep.-State Mins. and Secys., DGHSs/DDGHs, SPC/NMRA Chairs/Directors probed
A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) has requested the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to investigate the assets of those who served as Cabinet and Deputy and State Ministers of Health, and the Ministry's top officials from 2015 to this year.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, a representative of one of the said organisations, Kamantha Thushara said that they had requested the CIABOC to investigate the assets of all ministers, deputy and state ministers, ministry secretaries, directors general of Health Services (DGHSs), deputy directors general of Health (DDGHs), as well as the chairpersons and directors of institutions such as the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), covering the period from 2015 to 2025.
"As civil organisations, we have complained about this issue on several occasions before, but, the relevant investigations were suppressed during previous administrations. By conducting these investigations promptly and enforcing the law against individuals who will be found guilty of various irregularities and corruption, the President will be able to quickly fix the existing shortcomings in the health system," he explained.
Thushara said that the matters that should be investigated include the purchase of various types of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment; the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and rapid antigen test kits; the deletion of data from the NMRA’s website; the alleged construction of hospital buildings in certain politicians’ areas that exceeded the requirements; the recruitment of staff in violation of the proper procedures; the promotion of unsuitable officers; and the facilitation of foreign medical faculty placements for the children of high-ranking officials.
Over the years, Sri Lanka’s health sector has faced repeated allegations of corruption and mismanagement, especially when it comes to the procurement of medicines, medical equipment, and infrastructure projects. Questions have been raised about inflated prices, poor-quality imports, and irregular recruitment practices. At different times, several key figures, including former Health Ministers and top officials, have been arrested or questioned over these issues.