The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has launched an investigation into the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, over allegations that he used legal services from a pharmaceutical company supplying medicines to the Ministry of Health for his personal benefit.
The investigation was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights. In addition, the Bribery Commission has informed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the matter.
According to the complaint, Dr. Asela Gunawardena allegedly sent a personal legal notice to Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa in response to public comments made by Dr. Sanjeewa. In his statement, Dr. Sanjeewa accused the Director General of acting in support of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella by claiming there were no substandard drugs in circulation—despite public concerns to the contrary.
The complaint further states that the legal team representing Dr. Gunawardena in the matter belongs to a company that is currently under investigation in connection with the controversial Human Immunoglobulin procurement transaction.
The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance argues that using legal services from a firm associated with an ongoing pharmaceutical corruption case is a serious breach of public trust and raises ethical and legal concerns. They maintain that such actions amount to a conflict of interest and misuse of influence for personal purposes.
Further developments in this case are expected following the inquiries now underway by both the Bribery Commission and the CID.
