Printing Delay Postpones Charges Against Keheliya & Co.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar today scheduled September 16 as the date to formally serve indictments against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 other defendants in connection with the alleged distribution of substandard vaccines within Sri Lanka’s hospital system.

The case was heard before a three-judge bench comprising Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranaweera, and Pradeep Abeyratne. 

Although the defendants appeared in court today as previously ordered, the indictments could not be served due to a delay in printing the necessary legal documents.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama informed the court that the Government Printing Department had estimated a cost of Rs. 875,000 and a 21-day timeline to complete the printing of all summons and related materials. As a result, the court postponed the indictment process.

The case stems from allegations that the accused were involved in the procurement and distribution of non-standard vaccines, violating public health protocols and potentially endangering lives.

The Trial-at-Bar has now ordered the case to be recalled on September 16 at 1:30 PM, when the indictment process is expected to proceed.