Two decades of passport printing fraud and a data scandal at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority remain stalled, with officials accused of shielding the guilty as Sri Lanka’s losses pile up.
Investigations into two major corruption scandals — the passport tender fraud and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) data fraud — remain stalled under the new government, raising serious concerns about accountability and political favoritism. Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, revealed that despite complaints filed with both the Bribery Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), progress on these cases has been dismal.
Addressing media after visiting the Bribery Commission with professional and civil society representatives, Dr. Sanjeewa stated that both scandals were linked to the same internet service provider and yet, neither investigation has been concluded. He highlighted that the passport printing tender had been monopolized by a single company since 2003, ignoring competitive procurement mechanisms and inflating costs in disregard of Sri Lanka’s severe inflation. This fraud, he emphasized, has continued unabated for nearly 22 years across multiple administrations.
“All Ministers and Commissioners General who oversaw the Department of Immigration and Emigration during this period are responsible,” Dr. Sanjeewa charged. He further revealed that the financial loss suffered by the state was so vast that it could fund the construction and maintenance of more than ten major transport hubs the size of the Colombo Central Bus Stand.
Turning to the NMRA data fraud, Dr. Sanjeewa criticized the CID for failing to move investigations forward despite clear evidence. He noted that many senior officials who were in charge during the scandal still hold high-ranking government posts today, making it nearly impossible to uncover the truth. This, he said, directly contradicts earlier court directives to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and the NMRA to strictly follow procurement rules.
Dr. Sanjeewa expressed disappointment with the current Minister of Health, accusing him of negligence and indifference despite being fully aware of the obstacles created by entrenched officials. He warned that without decisive action, the culture of corruption would continue unchecked, undermining public trust in governance.
He disclosed that the police had recently requested a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss both incidents, but emphasized that such discussions were meaningless unless backed by real action. He urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene immediately by instructing the Attorney General’s Department to fast-track investigations and ensure justice without political interference.
“The public must not be fooled into believing that these are minor irregularities. These are systemic frauds that have bled the economy for years,” Dr. Sanjeewa warned, adding that Sri Lanka could no longer afford leaders who turn a blind eye to blatant corruption.
Unless swift measures are taken, both the passport tender fraud and the NMRA data scandal risk becoming yet another example of how political favoritism protects the guilty while ordinary citizens pay the price.
