The medicines mafia involving government ministers and top officials is mainly responsible for the depletion of foreign exchange reserves, Frontline Socialist Party’s education secretary Pubudu Jayagoda charged.
Several ministers, ministry secretaries and businessmen are behind the racket, he told the media.
Jayagoda alleged the extent of the mafia’s tentacles is such that the lowest bid of 19 cents to supply a particular medicine had been rejected and the tender given to a bid for 85 cents.
He also said the brain drain of health sector professionals has disrupted hospital functions.
