The owner of the company accused of importing substandard vials of immunoglobulin has been apprehended by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The arrest follows an ongoing investigation into the alleged use of forged documents to import subpar medicines, which has triggered a nationwide health crisis.

On Monday, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court issued overseas travel bans on the company owner, Sugath Janaka Fernando, also known as 'Aruna Deepthi', as well as two high-ranking government officials implicated in the fraudulent activity. These officials are Dr. Vijith Gunasekara, Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), and Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, Director of the Supplies Division in the Ministry of Health.

The court's decision to impose travel bans was prompted by concerns raised by the CID, which asserted that the suspects were preparing to flee the country. This move is a significant step in ensuring accountability for the alleged wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, the NMRA had suspended a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) imported from India due to violations of proper import procedures. An investigation revealed that forged documents were used during Customs clearance for the drug, which subsequently failed quality tests. The questionable product, purportedly manufactured by Livealth Biopharma Pvt Ltd. in India, was brought into Sri Lanka by a local medicine supplier named Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd.

This scandal has raised concerns over the misappropriation of Rs. 130 million in funds as a result of the illicit importation of 22,500 vials of IVIG.

The crisis came to light after reports of allergic reactions in patients who received the drug at the Colombo National Hospital and the Matale District Hospital on August 22 and September 16, respectively. The NMRA has been actively addressing the situation to safeguard public health and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.