The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you. As a member of COPE, I wish to outline some actions we observed. Out of 457 institutions under our purview, we reviewed about 14 in six months and saw clear instances of fraud, waste, and misuse of public funds, as reported by the Auditor General.

¶ 02 On the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA): it is mandated to ensure the import of quality, safe, and efficacious medicines and cosmetics. However, it enabled the opposite. The former Health Minister, his Secretary, and some officials were arrested and remanded over the immunoglobulin scandal—filling vials with normal saline or distilled water and distributing to public hospitals for about Rs. 43 million—worsening patients’ conditions. Prednisolone eye drops were also imported in a corrupt manner, with adulteration causing severe reactions and even loss of vision.

¶ 03 While narcotics and precursor chemicals seem to enter unadulterated—due to corruption and abuse of authority—our patients received adulterated medicines. Another case: piperazine hydrochloride vials used in cardiac surgery were sold in the private sector at Rs. 35,000–72,000, while government hospitals were starved of supply; the same drug can now be imported for Rs. 370 and supplied to state hospitals. Corrupt fast-track imports without Certificates of Analysis, Certificates of Pharmaceutical Product, or Stability Reports resulted in harm. Political pressure led some officials to act improperly, while many innocent officials suffered—even suicides were reported. Expedite investigations and provide redress to victims.

¶ 04 I commend COPE Chair Hon. Nishantha Samarawira, who reportedly works up to 18 hours a day, and all Members. In the North, hospital staffing shortages persist due to longstanding lack of cadre revisions; please expedite cadre revisions, promotions, and transfers to relieve staff stress. Thank you.