LNP – Keheliya Rambukwella decides to pause political career, cites ‘recent events’

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says that he has decided to temporarily step back from politics with the ‘recent events’ that took place.

Rambukwella announced his decision while speaking at an event held in Kandy today (13).

However, the former Minister also mentioned that he will not hesitate to help the people to the fullest at anytime, although he pauses the political involvement.

Furthermore, he revealed plans to focus on his business activities in the future.

Additionally, the former Minister expressed confidence in being vindicated by the courts regarding the “recent events.” He emphasized his belief that justice will prevail and shared his hopes of returning to politics as an “innocent person” once the legal matters are resolved.

Rambukwella has served in multiple ministerial posts, including as the Minister of Mass Media, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage, Minister of Health and Minister of Environment.

He initially joined the Democratic United National Front (DUNF) led by Lalith Athulathmudali, where he joined the politics, and later joined the United National Party (UNP) and was elected to the parliament from the Kandy District in 2000, winning 154,403 preferential votes.

He was elected to the Parliament from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) representing Kandy District in the 2020 General Election, where he secured 110,832 preferential votes.

In October 2023, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) revealed forged documents were submitted for Customs clearance to procure a batch of vials containing human immunoglobulin which also failed to pass quality tests, during Rambukwella’s tenure as the Health Minister.

On 02 February 2024, Rambukella was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alongside former Secretary to the Ministry of Health Janaka Chandragupta, and was remanded.

Rambukwella resigned from his ministerial post on 03 February following public outcry. However on September 11, 2024, he was released on two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each and a cash bond of Rs. 100,000.