Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, has revealed that certain journalists are allegedly receiving monthly salaries from pharmaceutical companies. A formal complaint regarding this matter has been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following the uncovering of related evidence.
Speaking to the media on the 15th during an inspection of the Kandy District Office of the Government Information Department, Dr. Wijemuni stated:
“These journalists are compensated by pharmaceutical companies rather than by the institutions they officially work for. In return for this payment, they disseminate false information on social media platforms.”
Dr. Wijemuni further explained that these individuals reportedly gain access to sensitive information from the Ministry of Health by posing as journalists and then relay it to pharmaceutical company representatives. Their activities allegedly include making baseless accusations aimed at tarnishing the Ministry of Health’s image. He noted that officials within the ministry are particularly targeted by these attacks.
The Deputy Minister highlighted past instances where monopolies held by certain pharmaceutical companies significantly impacted medicine prices in Sri Lanka. However, these monopolies were dismantled, paving the way for multiple companies to enter the market. As a result, the price of certain medications has seen drastic reductions — in some cases, by as much as 200 times. For instance, a medicine previously purchased for Rs. 70,000 by the Ministry of Health is now available at just Rs. 370.
Dr. Wijemuni condemned the actions of journalists allegedly influenced by pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing that such practices undermine the public’s trust in the media. He reiterated the government’s commitment to breaking monopolies in the pharmaceutical industry to ensure affordable medication for the public. He also noted that this would lead to a significant drop in medicine prices across the country in the future.
While stressing that the government has no intention of influencing or controlling the media, Dr. Wijemuni called for professionalism and ethical conduct among journalists. He urged media institutions and organizations to prioritize ethical journalism, adding:
“The country needs journalists who uphold professional standards and ethics, not individuals who compromise these values for monetary gain.”
Mr. Thanuja Abeysekara, the Officer-in-Charge of the Kandy District Media Unit of the Government Information Department, also participated in the event.
