SC rules Keheliya violated Fundamental Rights, orders Rs 75mn compensation
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Friday (27) ruled that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several senior officials violated the Fundamental Rights of the public in connection with the procurement of medical supplies under the 2022 Indian Credit Line and ordered the former minister to pay Rs 75 million in compensation to the State from his personal funds.
In its judgment, the Court found that health supplies had been procured from an unregistered company in breach of established procurement procedures, undermining regulatory safeguards and public trust in the health system.
The Court also directed former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and former Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) S.D. Jayaratne to pay Rs 50 million each.
The ruling also mandated NMRA Chief Executive Officer Vijith Gunasekera and former Deputy Director of the Medical Supplies Division Thushitha Sudarshana also pay Rs 50 million each to the state as compensation.
The judgment was delivered by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka headed by Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, following a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka and two other parties.
The case centred on alleged irregularities in emergency procurement processes during a period of economic crisis, with the Court underscoring the obligation of public officials to adhere to due process and accountability in the use of public funds.
-ENCL
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