Sri Lankan authorities have uncovered a disturbing case of counterfeit Rituximab being distributed to government hospitals, revealed during a court session at the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama disclosed that the same supplier involved in a previous fake Human Immunoglobulin scandal was responsible for this fraudulent supply of Rituximab.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and former Additional Health Secretary Saman Ratnayake are among nine suspects brought before the court, with Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana, a member of the drug evaluation committee, arrested as the 11th suspect.

Testing at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital confirmed that the distributed medicine lacked anti-cancer antibodies, raising serious concerns about patient safety. Despite defense pleas for bail, the court ruled against it, citing the gravity of the charges and potential public unrest, leading to the remand of the suspects until March 28.