Financial Times

On George Steuarts issues

Clarification

George Steuarts Group Deputy Chairman Mr. Kandiah Neelakandan in a response to an earlier story in The Sunday Times FT on a case filed against some George Steuarts directors, has released a further statement to clarify some points.

Mr. Neelakandan said he did not refer to D.P. Kanagaratnam as Deputy Chairman and Company Secretary. He added that he did not state Mr. Scott Dirckze has been harassing Mr. Kanagaratnam but was referring to a document 'where the then Chairman pointed out to Mr. Dirckze that he was espousing the cause of a third party with an ulterior motive with a view to harass Mr. Kanagaratnam with whom he has been litigating and it is unfortunate that Mr. Dirckze refuses to accept reality because he has a personal vendetta against Mr. Kanagaratnam.'

Meanwhile, director and former chairman Mr. Dirckze said – in a separate response to Mr Neelakandan’s earlier statement – that himself and K.M. De Silva own 28.85% of the 1,850,000 shares as disclosed in the petition and that Mr. Neelakandan has no shares. "Having previously been a Director on behalf of D.P. Kanagaratnam, it is evident from his letter that he is acting as proxy for Kanagaratnam, who had been adjudged a bankrupt on January 14, 2004 in the UK High Court and whose assets including 625,000 shares of George Steuart & Co. Ltd.., had vested on April 22,2004 in the Trustee in Bankruptcy." Further, Mr. Dirckze enclosed a certified copy of the UK High Court Order of June 14, 2007 with the petition which has declared that 625,000 shares of George Steuart had vested in the Trustee in Bankruptcy on April 22, 2004 and had continued to be so vested, notwithstanding the discharge of Mr. Kanagaratnam from bankruptcy on April 1, 2005.

"Contrary to what Neelakandan has misleadingly stated, that no fraud has been alleged, the petition would reveal that it is on the grounds of illegality and fraud perpetuated on the company by those directors, wrongfully controlling the company, that this action has been filed, as a derivative action under Section 234 of the Companies Act No..7 of 2007, and as if required, Court has to grant leave to proceed as is normal," Mr. Dirckze said. He added that since the shares are so vested in the Trustee in Bankruptcy, he had consistently submitted several letters to the company and its directors and asked that the shares be rightfully registered in the name of the Trustee in Bankruptcy, inasmuch as Mr. Kanagaratnam had borrowed monies in the UK, and with such monies had purchased the said shares as disclosed in the petition.


 
Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other Financial Times Articles
> Large rupee depreciation not the best option for Sri Lanka, say economists
> Dissolution of CIMA Sri Lanka council challenged
> LIOC incurs heavy loss on petrol
> Finance Cos’ bailout deal before Cabinet
> New mobile operator clashes with TRC
> Hedging: AG’s advice sought
> ONGC Videsh–Sri Lanka revives oil deal
> Praying for peace? No, return of their deposits!
> Economists vs economists
> Postal Department inefficient, lacks competence- Minister
> On George Steuarts issues
> Dubai expats abandon cars at airport car park
> Virtusa supports schools in Gampaha District
> Japan welcomes efforts to re-activate 13th amendment
> Unilever Sri Lanka acquires Wonderlight trademark
> Seminar on global economic crisis
> 2007 cost of corruption to government Rs 322 bln
> Mind your own business
> Ayurveda 2009 exhibition and symposium
> Zam Gems to have chain of showrooms globally
> Ceylon Tea Trails clinches major global travel award
> JKH property sector hurt by Monarch project
> Walker Tours to grow domestic tourism to 15% of turnover by end-2010
> CB cuts rates on falling inflation
> Bank real interest rates negative vis-à-vis inflation
> US$ 1.4 million UN grant for ‘bankable’ slums in Sri Lanka
> Ferntea and the liquidation issue
> Online office offer from a Sri Lanka group
> Dialog helps IT Education of underprivileged children in Hatamuna
> Amunugama at The Business Club
> Hayleys AIG announces new MD/CEO
> Picture shows the presentation being made.
> Changing role of CFOs
> Inflation fall could be temporary
> Ceylinco Life launches ‘Life Insurance Week’ for 2nd time
> Ceylon Biscuits banks on strong growth in international sales

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2008 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution