News
Probes into 52 cases, legal action taken on 26
The newly set up Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) has opened investigations into 52 complaints made by several social organisations, political parties, Government officials and individuals on fraudulent financial transactions.
FCID has taken legal action on 26 complaints with a similar number being investigated.
Financial corruption on the hedging deal and MiG aircraft transaction, abuse of funds in the Divi Neguma Development Department, financial fraud at Lanka Hospitals, tax concessions for CSN TV Channel are among the complaints against politicians, their relatives and close acquaintances currently under investigation.
Opening day of the FCID. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Convener of the Voice Against Corruption Movement, Western Provincial Council member Wasantha Samarasinghe has made a complaint at FCID on hedging oil transactions against former Central Bank (CB) Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Former Finance Ministry Secretary P.B Jayasundara and former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Asantha de Mel.
The complainant said that the Government has lost US $200 million by setting up a hedging oil transaction system and will be losing another US $ 700 million or more in the future.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the impounding of former CPC chairman Asantha de Mel’s passport while FCID has interrogated the former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal regarding the hedging deal.
Mr. Samarasinghe has made another complaint against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He has stated that the former minister has made money by unlawful means and had granted contracts of the Sports Ministry to his close acquaintances. Police Spoksman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the FCID intends to record a statement from the former minister and continue further investigations.
Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was issued notice on March 26 by Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala to appear before the FCID to record a statement regarding massive amounts of money misused in the Divi Neguma Development Department.
ASP Gunasekara said that four separate cases being investigated entail compensation and gratuity payments for Rs.1.73 billion under the Divi Neguma when it was converted into a Department, house renovation project under the Divi Neguma that involved a massive Rs.2.99 billion, printing of alleged election propaganda in the guise of New Year calendars with auspicious times and other information, at a cost of Rs.29.4 million and holding a national convention of Divi Neguma beneficiaries during the election period, spending Rs.63.7 million.
Also former Divi Neguma Department Director General R.R.K. Ranawaka was questioned over misappropriation of Rs. 63 million and other shady transactions following complaints to the FCID.
FCID has started investigations on a complaint of the Divi Neguma Development Department Director General on misuse of money belonging to the Ports Authority. Director General H. Sumanapala stated that US $ 150,000 belonging to the Ports Authority has been unlawfully transferred to a bank account of the Pushpa Rajapaksa Foundation.
Former Uva Province Chief Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was questioned over two luxury buses purchased by the Ministry of External Affairs on a leasing facility, being used for personal trips. These two super luxury buses were imported to Sri Lanka to provide transport facilities to the VIPs who participated in the CHOGM summit held in 2013 and the value of a bus was nearly Rs.18 million.
FCID has questioned ex- Air Force commanders Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonethilaka regarding the controversial MiG aircraft transaction.
FCID has filed a report in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Courts concerning massive financial frauds at Lanka Hospitals. Investigation was launched following a complaint lodged by cancer specialist Dr. Niyomal Perera against the former director board of Lanka Hospitals including ex-Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Competent officers of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Independent Television Network have made statements to FCID on investigations of the financial loss by delegating sports telecasting rights to CSN TV channel.
FCID questioned Former Chief Executive Officer of CSN channel Nishantha Ranatunga on Wednesday regarding a financial transaction of CSN. ASP Gunasekara said that FCID has started an investigation on a complaint by Director of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat on tax concessions provided by the former Government to CSN channel.
FCID has commenced investigations on a complaint by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in connection with a bank account of the Siriliya Saviya Foundation which was under the name of former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
Voice Against Corruption Movement said it was very satisfied with the investigations which FCID commenced.