Keheliya irked by SJB visit to NMRA 

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella 

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has expressed his displeasure at the recent unannounced visit by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana and Mujibur Rahman to the National Medical Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on Monday. 

MP Jayawardana and his group had unexpectedly visited the NMRA office in Colombo, aiming to get clarification about the continued usage of substandard drugs in the country’s healthcare sector.

Rambukwella expressed his disapproval, stressing that no Member of Parliament should visit any State institution without prior notice. The Minister emphasised the significance of adhering to the established procedure, wherein MPs are required to provide prior notification before any visits to State institutions.

After the visit, Jayawardena said that they intended to meet a person in charge of the Drug Regulatory Authority to obtain information. He claimed, however, at the time, neither the Chief Executive Officer nor the Chairman was present in the Drug Regulatory Authority, preventing them from doing so.

Following the visit, Minister Rambukwella is said to have reached out to the group via phone, expressing his willingness to meet with Opposition MPs and discuss health sector issues.

Despite the Minister’s efforts to initiate a dialogue, the group had expressed their disinterest in engaging with the Minister on the matter.