NMRA gets new 'Acting CEO' following shredding scandal

COLOMBO (News 1st); A new Acting Chief Executive Officer was appointed to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

The Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama speaking to News 1st said that Senior Chemist D. D. Bulathsinhala was appointed to the post of Acting CEO, and the appointment was made by the NMRA board members.

However, according Dr. Wijewickrama, a permanent appointment will be made in the future for the post of Chief Executive Office of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

The previous Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was removed from his post on Wednesday (8).

Sri Lanka's Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta in a letter to Dr. Vijith Gunasekera dated Tuesday (7) had noted that the latter was moved to the Health Ministry with immediate effect.

It added that Dr. Gunasekera was removed from the post of CEO as per a decision reached by the NMRA Board of Directors.

However, speaking to News 1st, a member of the NMRA board said that the Health Secretary had first inquired from the Board of Directors in writing on whether the services of Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was required any further.

In response, the Board of Directors had noted that in order to rebuild trust on the NMRA, the services of Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was no longer required.

The Chairman, CEO, and other officials at the NMRA faced allegations with regard to the importation of substandard medicines to the country.

The NMRA Chairman was recently replaced with Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama.

Prior to that, Keheliya Rambukwella was also removed from the post of Health Minister.

Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was earlier informed the step down; however, he refused to do so, and trade unions also alleged that he was involved in the shredding of sensitive documents at the NMRA.