Keheliya Rambukwella, a seasoned Sri Lankan politician with a career spanning several decades, has decided to temporarily withdraw from politics in light of “recent events.” His announcement came during a speech in Kandy, where he elaborated on his decision to step back while indicating his readiness to assist the public whenever necessary. He plans to shift his focus to business pursuits for the time being.
The “recent events” that Rambukwella referenced revolve around a controversy from his time as Health Minister. In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) disclosed that forged documents had been used to obtain Customs clearance for a batch of human immunoglobulin vials, which subsequently failed quality checks. This occurred during his tenure, raising significant public concern over the safety and integrity of the country’s medical procurement processes.
The scandal led to his arrest on February 2, 2024, alongside former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detained them in connection with the irregularities, sparking public outrage and demands for accountability. Following his arrest, Rambukwella resigned from his ministerial post the very next day.
Despite the legal troubles, he was released on bail on September 11, 2024, under stringent conditions, including two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each and a cash bond of Rs. 100,000. Rambukwella maintains his innocence, expressing confidence that the court proceedings will clear his name. He hopes to return to politics in the future as an “innocent person” once the legal issues are resolved.
Rambukwella’s political journey has been marked by significant roles across different administrations. He initially entered politics through the Democratic United National Front (DUNF) led by Lalith Athulathmudali and later joined the United National Party (UNP), where he was first elected to Parliament in 2000 from the Kandy District. He went on to hold various ministerial portfolios, including Mass Media, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Water Supply and Drainage, Health, and Environment. In the 2020 General Election, he was elected as a representative of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), again from Kandy District, securing 110,832 preferential votes.
His pause from politics comes amid a turbulent period in his career, as he faces both legal and reputational challenges stemming from his last ministerial role.
