Shock Resignation: NMRA CEO Quits After Threats and Home Break-In!

 

Dark Threats Behind the Resignation

In a startling development, Dr. Saveen Semage, the CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), resigned with immediate effect yesterday, citing serious threats to his life. Just days earlier, on May 9, CCTV footage captured two intruders breaking into his home and prowling around for nearly half an hour — peering into the bedroom where Dr. Semage, his wife, and children were asleep.

“I believe this break-in was a direct threat aimed at removing me from my position,” Dr. Semage said  , revealing the terrifying ordeal that pushed him to step down.

The Man Who Took On Pharma Giants

Dr. Semage, a public health specialist, was appointed CEO for the second time in January 2024. Previously, he served from November 2021 to May 2022, resigning amid conflicts with the former Health Minister. His return was seen as a bold move to clean up Sri Lanka’s drug regulatory system under the new Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana.

Since taking charge, Semage aggressively tackled the pharmaceutical industry’s entrenched monopolies and oligopolies — entities long blamed for manipulating drug prices and rigging tenders to the detriment of public funds.

Resistance from Powerful Interests

His efforts, though praised by many, drew the ire of powerful pharmaceutical players. “There was a lot of tension in the last few weeks because of my push to reform pricing and break monopolies,” Semage said. Social media attacks labeling him as politically motivated only added to the pressure.

Despite the threats, Semage spearheaded critical reforms at the NMRA — including clearing registration backlogs, streamlining drug re-registration, cracking down on forged documents, and restarting digitalization efforts after the mysterious erasure of NMRA’s database in 2021.

Transforming the NMRA Against All Odds

Under his leadership, the NMRA staff doubled in size, welcoming 30 new pharmacists. The Authority established the National Advisory Committee and Appeals Committee and published a new drug pricing mechanism with clear guidelines.

These achievements marked significant progress in an agency often plagued by inefficiency and corruption — but the growing pushback made his position increasingly untenable.

What’s Next for Sri Lanka’s Drug Regulation?

With Semage’s sudden resignation, questions loom over the future of Sri Lanka’s fight against pharmaceutical monopolies and drug price rigging. Will the NMRA maintain its reform momentum, or will vested interests regain control?