A significant development has occurred in Sri Lanka's ongoing scandal surrounding the alleged purchase of counterfeit drugs during the country's economic crisis. Keheliya Rambukwella, a former health minister and current environment minister, has resigned from his position in the Cabinet after being arrested for his alleged involvement in the procurement of counterfeit intravenous human immunoglobulin. This medical product is crucial in fighting infections and cancer. Rambukwella's resignation comes amidst mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers, activists, and health groups for his removal and a transparent investigation into the scandal.
The investigation has also resulted in the arrests of five other high-ranking officials from the Health Ministry and the supplier implicated in the procurement of the counterfeit drugs. Rambukwella is accused of exploiting the economic crisis as justification to bypass the usual tender process for purchasing various types of medicine and allegedly showing favoritism towards a particular supplier.
