GMOA REVEALS RS.70 MN SPC TENDER SCAM

The Government had lost Rs 70 million from a drug purchasing deal through State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) when Dr. Rajitha Senarathne was the Health Minister, the Government Medical Officers’ association (GMOA) revealed yesterday.

Addressing a press conference the GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the government had incurred a loss of Rs. 70 million and revealed the reference number as DHS/RP/M/223/2018 where the misappropriation of fund has taken place.

He further said that several employees of the SPC had submitted documentary evidence of the malpractice taken place when the tender was awarded.

Dr. Aluthge said that gradually they are receiving details of financial embezzlement’s which had taken place during the tenure of former Health Minister Senaratne.

GMOA urged the President Maithripala Sirisena to investigate all the tender irregularities during the past three years.

Further, GMOA alleges that SPC Managing Director Dr. Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Rumie also has links with the controversial drug purchasing tenders.

Dr. Aluthge said measures should be taken to determine the link that existed between Dr. Rumie and the heads of private pharmaceuticals companies.

However, when contacted Dr. Rumie denied all the allegations made by the GMOA.

“I’m only sitting at the tender board for minor tenders less than Rs 10 million drug purchasing. It is up to the SPC Chairman who is responsible for tenders between

I’m only sitting at the tender board for minor tenders less than Rs 10 million drug purchasing. It is up to the SPC Chairman who is responsible for tenders between Rs 10 to 100 million. Over 100 million tenders directly handled by the Health Ministry -SPC Managing Director Dr. Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Rumie

Rs 10 to 100 million. Over 100 million tenders directly handled by the Health Ministry,” he said.

He further said that he does not have any relationship with any head of the private pharmaceuticals companies. “I challenge GMOA to prove if I have any relationship with any head of the private pharmaceuticals companies. I’m willing to support any investigation over this,” he said.

Dr. Mohamed

Hashim Mohamed

Rumie was appointed as the

SPC Managing

Director in

January 2015.