NMRA Chief Executive removed after shredding scandal

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr. Vijith Gunasekera has been removed from his post.

Sri Lanka's Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said that Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was removed from the post of CEO as per a decision reached by the NMRA Board of Directors.

He said that following this decision, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera was summoned to the Health Ministry.

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.

However, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera continued to serve as the CEO and was alleged to have shredded a series of sensitive documents at the NMRA.

A complaint was also filed with the Criminal Investigations Department over the incident.