Irregular procurement of health supplies violated fundamental rights, says Supreme Court

Fundamental rights of the public were violated by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several others through the procurement of medical supplies from an unregistered company in 2022.

This ruling was delivered by the Supreme Court regarding a procurement process conducted under an Indian credit line that bypassed standard regulations.

Keheliya Rambukwella must pay Rs. 75 million to the state from his personal funds as per the court's decision.

The bench, led by Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, also ordered former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and former National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Chairman Professor S.D. Jayaratne to pay Rs. 50 million each.

Furthermore, former NMRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vijith Gunasekera and former Director of the Medical Supplies Division Dr. Thushitha Sudarshana are required to pay an additional Rs. 50 million in compensation to the state.

These orders followed the consideration of fundamental rights petitions filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka and another party.