Sources from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirm that arrangements have been made to record statements from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The inquiry pertains to the approval of a Cabinet paper submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, which sought to import 182 types of medicines under the Indian loan scheme, allegedly citing a fabricated shortage of essential medicines.
According to reports, the statements will be recorded once Mr. Wickremesinghe returns to Sri Lanka following his ongoing tour of India. The CID plans to coordinate dates and times with the two former leaders and visit their residences to record their statements.
This investigation follows a request by Deputy Solicitor General Ms. Lakmini Girihagama, who had previously summoned Cabinet Ministers involved in the matter. The inquiry is centered on the Cabinet paper submitted on September 26, 2022, which reportedly failed to specify the medicines required by the country. Questions have arisen about the basis on which this paper was approved. The CID’s actions were authorized by Maligakanda Magistrate Ms. Lochani Abeywickrama Weerasinghe.
The CID is probing whether there was indeed a shortage of medicines at the time and why the Cabinet approved the paper without conducting due diligence. Investigators have also sought clarity on the process and rationale behind the decision-making.
Statements have already been recorded from several former Cabinet Ministers, including Nimal Siripala de Silva, Bandula Gunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Roshan Ranasinghe, Douglas Devavanda, Harin Fernando, Prasanna Ranatunga, Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Vidura Wickramanayake, Kanchana Wijesekera, Pushpakumara, Nazir Ahmed, and Nalin Fernando. These individuals were among the 18 ministers serving in the Cabinet led by Mr. Wickremesinghe.
The investigation continues to raise significant questions about transparency and accountability in the approval process for the alleged medicine shortage and its associated import scheme.
