A Trial-at-Bar has been appointed in connection with the case filed against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella over the controversial procurement of human immunoglobulin drugs.

This appointment has been made following a request by the Attorney General to the Chief Justice.

The three-judge bench appointed to hear the case comprises Justices Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranawira, and Pradeep Abeyratne.

However, Justice Mahen Weeraman is due to retire in September and will therefore be stepping down from the bench.

The department further stated that steps have been taken to inform the Chief Justice regarding Justice Weeraman’s withdrawal from the Trial-at-Bar.

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is accused of causing the government a loss of billions of rupees and endangering the lives of patients by purchasing a stock of substandard human immunoglobulin vaccines.