Former Secretary to the Health Ministry, Janaka Chandragupta, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the controversial case of importation of substandard Immunoglobulin vials, was remanded till December 27 by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema yesterday.
The former health secretary has been accused of allegedly been involved in the importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials into Sri Lanka and paying Rs.140 million to the first suspect, Sudath Janaka Fernando.
Earlier in the day Chandragupta had given a statement to the CID regarding the matter. He had been arrested by the CID after obtaining the statement.
The Magistrate made this order noting that the Court is satisfied with the facts presented by the Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama under the Public Property Act against the suspect, who was presented to the Court as the sixth suspect.
Also, the Magistrate ordered the Director General of Health Services to seal the office of Saman Ratnayake, Additional Secretary (Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals) of the Health Ministry.
She gave permission to the CID to inspect the office room between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm today and take any suspicious documents into their custody.
The Magistrate also permitted a request made by the Attorney General’s Department to check the handwriting of the former Health Secretary.
The Maligakanda Magistrate observed that the Court finds the actions of the former health ministry secretary suspicious with regard to the importation of substandard Immunoglobulin vials.
Last week the Magistrate also ordered that all responsible parties with regard to the issue must be arrested and produced before the Court irrespective of their positions, for providing substandard medicine to the public.
With regard to the ongoing investigations related to the substandard Immunoglobulin scam, several officials including the Director of the Medical Supplies Division are currently in remand custody.
Subashini Senanayake