The Treasury has allocated a sum of Rs. 1 billion for the purchase of essential drugs of which 500 million rupees each has been set aside for the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health respectively.

These funds are expected to help import medicines for cancer treatment that were reported to be in short supply.

The decision was made by the Treasury following a meeting with Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne.

According to Director General of the Medical Supplies Division Dr. Lal Panapitiya, the funds released by the Treasury would suffice to buy medicines for a month.

The Treasury however, owes a total of Rs. 5 billion to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) for previous purchases, which has been delayed.