In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the substandard Immunoglobulin (IVIG) scandal, the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court has ordered the sealing of the office of Additional Secretary to the Health Ministry, Saman Rathnayake. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is set to inspect documents in Rathnayake's office as part of the probe, which has sent shockwaves through the health sector.

Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandraguptha, arrested by the CID in connection with the importation of substandard IVIG, was produced before the Maligakanda Magistrates Court. The court subsequently remanded Chandraguptha until December 27, pending further investigations into his alleged involvement in the scandal.

The scandal revolves around a controversial batch of IVIG vials that has raised concerns about public health safety. The CID's latest move follows the recent detention of the owner of the company responsible for importing the contentious batch. Investigations have uncovered that the detained company owner is accused of using forged documents to import the substandard medicines.

As a result of these revelations, the court has imposed travel bans on the detained company owner and two other high-ranking government officials allegedly linked to the fraudulent activity. The identities of these officials have not been disclosed at this time.

The scandal has prompted a temporary halt to the utilization of the controversial batch of IVIG, as authorities intensify efforts to uncover the extent of the substandard drugs' distribution and their impact on public health. The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has confirmed filing a complaint with the CID in response to the incident, signaling a concerted effort to address the grave implications of the scandal.