Controversy surrounds a decision by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) to stop the supply of medicine to the Navy over the non-payment of bills. The navy said the SPC’s decision had caused a serious disruption at medical facilities where officers and men were denied proper treatment.

The SPC said that the navy had failed to settle bills for several years. The navy said the officers and men must not be denied medical facilities.

SPC Managing Director Prof. A. Kamalgoda said he wouldn’t dispute the right of security forces personnel to receive medical treatment but the SPC could no longer place orders for medicine on behalf the navy without receiving the required funds. "We don’t have funds of our own to place order on their behalf," he said stressing the need for the navy to settle all outstanding bills.