Former director general of health services, Dr. Palitha Mahipala, has been appointed as the secretary to the ministry of health.
He is due to assume duties on 20 November, after Janaka Sri Chandragupta retires in the position today (18).
Dr. Anil Jasinghe, presently secretary to the environment ministry, too, was spoken as a possibility for the health secretary position.
But, minister Keheliya Rambukwella has refused to release him, noting that he is presently involved in several important projects.
Chandragupta had asked for one year extension, but it had been rejected on the ground that his name is mentioned with the substandard immunoglobulin scam.
Courts have ordered a foreign travel ban on Chandragupta and eight others.
