Keheliya Rambukwella Returned To Remand

COLOMBO (News 1st); Seven suspects, including former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, have been remanded in custody until April 22 over the medicine procurement scandal.

The case was brought before the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court today.

The other suspects include:
1. Sudath Janaka Fernando: Owner of the pharmaceutical supply company implicated in the drug fraud.
2. Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake: Former director of the Medical Supplies Division
3. Janaka Sri Chandragupta: Former secretary of the Ministry of Health.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Saman Ratnayake, the 10th suspect in the case, and Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana, the 11th suspect and a member of the evaluation committee, were remanded to the 10th of April.

During today's court proceedings, the first suspect, Sudath Janaka Fernando, who owns the alleged fake drug supply company, requested permission to give a statement from the dock.

Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama granted permission for this request.

The suspect asserted that the Criminal Investigation Department's ability to investigate this incident under the Public Property Act is questionable.

This was met with skepticism by the magistrate.

She emphasized that the suspect's concerns were not unique, adding that such issues have not even been raised by the President's Counsel, other Counsel appearing for the Defence, and the Attorney General's Department.

The magistrate further clarified that while the suspect's statement was allowed, its legal value remains limited.

She said that, for a more responsible and confidential statement, the suspect has the opportunity to present it directly before the court.