In a significant development, the Attorney General reported to the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today that the Sri Lankan government suffered a loss of 97 million rupees due to alleged fraudulent activities in the procurement of vaccines by the Medical Supply Division for the year 2023. The court proceedings have prompted Maligakanda Magistrate Ms. Lochani Abeywickrama to direct the Bribery Commission to take further action regarding the complaint.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) presented evidence to the magistrate concerning another fraudulent incident linked to the tenure of Mr. Kapila Wickramanayake, who previously served as the director of the Medical Supplies Department. Deputy Solicitor General Miss Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General’s office, detailed the specifics of the case, which centers around the purchase of human immunoglobulin injections and the drug “Lactulose.”
During the proceedings, it was revealed that a company named Medicom had secured a five-year contract to supply 120 ml syringes of Lactulose to the Medical Supply Department. However, due to the expiration of their registration certificate, Medicom was unable to provide the medicine for a period in 2023. Despite this, the company allegedly informed Wickramanayake that they could supply the medication at a price of 1,408 rupees per vial, with assurances that the registration certificate would be updated promptly.
Instead of awarding the tender to Medicom, the Medical Supply Department reportedly granted the contract to another company, Newgen, at a significantly higher price of 2,490 rupees per syringe. This decision resulted in a substantial financial loss to the government, amounting to approximately 97.3 million rupees.
Magistrate Abeywickrama, after reviewing the details presented, ordered the Bribery Commission to investigate further into the matter. The case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability within government procurement processes, particularly in the healthcare sector.
