It was stated at the time that nearly one hundred and fifty patients had become permanently and temporarily disabled due to the use of Prednisolone eye drops brought to the country during the former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella's Kella regime. The patients who had become disabled complained to the responsible parties about the injustice they had suffered and even protested against it.
The government has paid compensation to 17 patients who suffered visual impairment due to the use of this medicine and it is reported that a number of other patients have sought compensation in the same manner. In such a context, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. W. Wickramasinghe, who addressed a letter to Lenin Niroshan, a resident of Gampaha, who suffered eye problems after using Prednisolone eye drops, says that the medicine did not cause his eye problems.
Following the investigations conducted in this regard, the patient and his relatives are deeply shocked by the letter sent on 13/11/2025. The relatives say that there are medical reports that their relative's eyes became damaged after using the relevant medicine at the Colombo National Eye Hospital, and that he has since gone to India for medical treatment at his own expense and is regretting the issuance of such a letter.
Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, says that the Ministry of Health has not been able to take legal action against the company that brought this eye solution in court so far. He also stated that the reluctance of the current Ministry of Health to take legal action against this company is questionable.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa further stated that he hopes to file a civil case in court on behalf of other patients who have suffered eye problems.
