A forensic audit to investigate Keheliya's procurement of medicines and medical equipment

The Attorney General yesterday (30) confirmed before the Supreme Court that the Government Auditor General has commenced a special forensic audit into the procurement process for the purchase of medicines and medical equipment carried out by the Ministry of Health during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

This notification was made when the fundamental rights petition filed by 'Transparency International Sri Lanka' organization, requesting a ruling that the fundamental rights of the public have been violated through the purchase of medical supplies made in violation of procurement laws during the relevant period, was considered. These facts were reported to the court by Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Wigneswaran, who appeared before the court representing the Attorney General.

This petition was taken up for hearing before a three-member bench of Supreme Court judges comprising Messrs. Preethi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, and Arjuna Obeyesekere. Transparency International, through its petition, has named former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several officials of the Ministry of Health as respondents.

When the case was called, Attorney Senani Dayaratne, appearing for the petitioner, requested the court to provide a specific date for the hearing of the petition, as permission to proceed with it had already been granted. In response, the Deputy Solicitor General explained that over 600 medical supply purchases made during the disputed period are currently under forensic audit investigation by the Auditor General. He further informed the court that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is also conducting a separate independent investigation into this chain of events.

Meanwhile, Attorney Suren Fernando, representing a respondent, submitted to the court that a decision had been made by one judge contrary to the law regarding a motion he had previously filed. After considering all these submissions, the bench ordered the petition to be called again on May 20th to confirm the facts regarding the motions filed by the respondent party.