A Letter to Keheliya: When Corruption Costs Lives

A daughter’s powerful testimony against the deadly consequences of medical fraud in Sri Lanka

A Family in the Spotlight

Recent developments involving the family of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella have become a widely discussed issue in Sri Lanka. His arrest, along with his wife, two daughters, and son-in-law, followed by their release on bail, has captured national attention.

The Most Serious Allegation

Among the multiple corruption accusations leveled against Keheliya, the most severe involves the alleged pharmaceutical fraud—one that placed the lives of innocent citizens in grave danger during a time of economic hardship.

Turning Aid into Profit

During a critical period when India extended genuine pharmaceutical assistance to Sri Lanka, Keheliya is accused of profiting by distributing substandard medicine, including saline solutions sold at inflated prices.

A Celebrity’s Personal Suffering

Renowned actor Giriraj Kaushalya is reported to have paid hundreds of thousands of rupees for one of these questionable medications during a serious illness. The treatment brought no relief, and he narrowly escaped death.

A Daughter Breaks Her Silence

Amandya Uthpala—an acclaimed singer, actress, and member of the Ranwala Balakaya—shared her personal story through a Facebook post. She described the emotional and financial toll her family endured while trying to secure life-saving medicine for her father.

To Keheliya – I Write

"Last August, I was preparing to travel to the United States with the Ranwala troupe. At the same time, my father was in the ICU at Asiri Hospital. Suddenly, my mother called me and said, ‘The doctor prescribed a medicine that isn’t available at the hospital. Can you find it and bring it right away?’”

She described frantically searching for the drug, calling every known contact, only to be told it was unavailable anywhere in Sri Lanka. Eventually, a single pharmacy claimed to have it—though not the original brand.

They had no choice. The family paid Rs. 420,000 for 7 vials. Over three days, they spent nearly Rs. 1.5 million for the treatment.

IVIG – The Drug That Cost Us Everything

The medication administered was IVIG (Intravenous Human Immunoglobulin). Though it may have helped, the psychological and financial burden left permanent scars.

Closing Words

“Keheliya, I don’t even know what to call you anymore. But one thing I do know—there is no escape from karma.”

— Amandya Uthpala