Keheliya Gets Bail After Eight Months In Remand

by Zulfick Farzan 12-09-2024 | 9:55 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama on Wednesday (11) ordered the release of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was remanded for eight months in connection with the distribution of substandard antibody vaccines in the country's hospital system.

Alongside him, the former Deputy Director of the Ministry of Health, Herath Kumar, and the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Dr. Vijith Gunasekara, were also granted bail.

The magistrate concluded that the suspects were under severe mental stress and faced significant mental health issues. Consequently, they were released on an individual cash baol of Rs. 100,000/- and two additional bonds of Rs. 5 Million each.

During the court proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General, submitted a report from the Government Medical Council regarding the suspects. The report confirmed that the suspects were at risk of suicide, suffered from severe mental illness, and had worsening heart conditions.

The Deputy Solicitor General objected to granting bail, citing the medical reports were obtained in 2019.

She noted that the medical reports indicated a potential risk of disease over the next decade, but that the current conditions did not reflect these risks.

The Deputy Solicitor General highlighted that the suspect had failed to present his current medical condition to the medical board.

She said that, given the current health status, granting bail was not possible.

In response, the magistrate observed that former Health Minister Kehaliya Rambukwella, now aged 71, was suffering from significant illnesses as noted by the court.

The magistrate also noted that Rambukwella had been remanded for over seven months, and his condition was gradually worsening according to medical records.

Considering these medical recommendations, the magistrate ordered the release of the suspects on bail, emphasizing the special circumstances presented by their health conditions.