⚖️ SC Sets Deadline for Rs. 275 M Payment in Medical Procurement Case

Following a contempt application by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), the Supreme Court has issued strict deadlines, travel bans, and bail conditions for respondents who failed to pay Rs. 275 million in compensation ordered over fundamental rights violations in medical procurement. • Key Case Details: - Case SC/FR/65/2023 linked to sub-standard medical supplies procurement. - Judgment delivered on 27 March 2026 found 5 former officials guilty under Article 12(1). - TISL filed contempt proceedings after payments remained unpaid for 7 months. • Compensation & Payment Status: - Total Court-Ordered Penalty: Rs. 275 million to the State. - Former NMRA Chairman Prof. S. D. Jayaratne: Paid full Rs. 50M on 22 Oct 2026. - Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella: Paid Rs. 20M; pledged remaining Rs. 55M within 2 weeks (Total: Rs. 75M). - Former Health Secretary S. J. S. Chandraguptha: Pledged Rs. 5M in 1 week, remaining Rs. 45M within 3 months (Total: Rs. 50M). - Former NMRA CEO Dr. Vijith Gunasekara: Pledged Rs. 20M in 2 weeks, remaining Rs. 30M within 3 months (Total: Rs. 50M). - Former MSD Director Dr. A. Thusitha Sudharshana: Pledged ~Rs. 2M savings this week, remaining Rs. 48M within 3 months (Total: Rs. 50M). • Court Enforcement & Directives: - Final deadline of 3 months granted to settle remaining balances in full. - Travel bans imposed on Rambukwella, Chandraguptha, Gunasekara, and Sudharshana. - All 4 ordered to fulfill bail conditions within 1 week (Rs. 50M cash bond + 2 sureties each). - Case fixed to be taken up next on 15 February 2027.