The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry has reportedly convened a special meeting this evening (06 March) to discuss explaining matters to President Maithipala Sirisena on his statement in Parliament last Wednesday (04 March) that he has received information that Rs. 01 billion has been obtained from 400 companies in a bid to hide the National Medicinal Drugs Policy Bill during the former government, reliable sources told www.adaderanabiz.lk

A representative of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry, who did not wish to be named told www.adaderanabiz.lk, that his meeting was held at 4.00 pm today (06 March) in Colombo with the participation of high rung officials of the Chamber.

He said that 400 pharmaceutical are not active in Sri Lanka and that there are the number is far below the number stated.

Since the relevant officials have provided the wrong data to President Maithripala Sirisena he believes that the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry would take steps soon to make the President aware of this matter, he added further.

While President Maithipala Sirisena said in Parliament last Wednesday (04 March) that he has received information that Rs. 01 billion has been obtained from 400 companies in a bid to hide the National Medicinal Drugs Policy Bill, it was the first time in the history of the Sri Lankan Parliament where a President had delivered the opening address during the presentation of a budget debate.

During his speech, the President said that Rs. 2.5 million each had been obtained from 400 companies in a bid to hide the National Medicinal Drugs Policy Bill and that he is not aware to whom the funds had gone to.

The National Medicinal Drugs Policy Bill or the Bill to establish the Medicinal Drugs Regulatory Authority with amendments was passed in Parliament today (06 March) with a majority of 67 votes.