• Complaint cites audit findings on failure to furnish related info/explanations, and on Min., SPC, NMRA, MSD, 25 maj. hospitals

The Medical and Civil Rights Professionals’ Association of Doctors (MCPA) has requested the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the failure of senior health officials, including Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and the Health Services (DGHS) Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, to provide information sought by the Auditor General (AG) regarding corruption scandals that allegedly took place in the ministry during the tenures of several former Health Ministers. 

The former Health Ministers in question include, attorney Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi and Keheliya Rambukwella, as well as Prof. Channa Jayasumana, who served as a State Minister during the same period. 

The MCPA has lodged a complaint with the CID regarding financial irregularities in the health sector. Speaking to the media after submitting the complaint, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that the complaint was based on the AG’s last year’s (2024) Annual Performance Report on the Ministry. 

According to him, the complaint is about serious financial irregularities as well as administrative and financial flaws in several health sector institutions which he said has caused a massive loss to the State. These institutions include the Ministry, the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and the Medical Supplies Division (MSD).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the MCPA President Dr. Chamala Sanjeewa said that the request was made following revelations in the latest audit report pertaining to the ministry, which he said pointed to serious irregularities and financial misconduct within the ministry. “According to the report, the AG has repeatedly sought information from the ministry regarding these incidents of corruption but has not received the necessary cooperation from the current officials. The report notes that despite ongoing inquiries, the present health authorities have failed to provide the required documentation or explanations.”

He further said that he has formally requested the CID Director, Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekara to conduct a comprehensive investigation into why Dr. Jasinghe and senior officials, including Dr. Gunawardena, had not provided the information sought by the AG. He claimed that such inaction could result in the cover-up of large-scale corruption that occurred in the ministry during previous administrations.

One such irregularity described by Dr. Sanjeewa relates to the alleged purchase of Covid-19 vaccines at higher prices and at excessive quantities. Noting that a large number of vaccines also had to be destroyed as they expired without being used, he said that this situation alone caused the State a loss of over $ 70 million. Moreover, he accused the health authorities of attempting to conceal the relevant details.

He further urged the CID to investigate the audit finding that nearly Rs. 900 million, donated by Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to the SPC for the purchase of medicines, had been misused.

Dr. Sanjeewa also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take immediate notice of the audit revelations concerning corruption in the ministry, the SPC, the NMRA, the MSD, and 25 major hospitals across the island. “The President should act on these findings. He also needs to realise that the country’s health system cannot be rebuilt with corrupt officials still in charge.”

The Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Dr. Jasinghe, and Dr. Gunawardena were not available for comment.