Kotelawala makes a mockery of judicial system
I wholeheartedly endorse the letter from a depositor, like myself, which appeared under the heading “Desperate Depositor” of the Golden Key Credit Card Company Ltd (GK) in the Business Times last week.
Much water has flowed under the bridge since the collapse of GK in December 2008, and, many promises made. However, hundreds, if not thousands, of depositors, like myself, are still kicking their heels, waiting for justice to be meted, and struggling for survival whilst at least 28 depositors have died, some of whom have committed suicide for lack of funds for basic needs whilst others are ailing … and finding it difficult to make ends meet. All this while the culprits lead a life of luxury!
I recall the day Lalith Kotelawala, surrounded by a contingent of security personal, addressed depositors at the BMICH, soon after the collapse of GK. He was quite exuberant, and stated that the entire Ceylinco Group had enough resources, and assets, and assured the depositors present that all dues will be settled without delay. The rest is history.
The day the Chief Magistrate of the Mount Lavinia Court (where the GK case was initially taken up for hearing) referred to Lalith and Sicille Kotelawala as ‘criminal white collar fraudsters’ and had them remanded (of course Sicille Kotelawala had very cleverly left the country by then), the court room could well have been taken for a football stadium, with those present cheering and jeering.
Thereafter, and during subsequent hearings, Kotelawala pleaded for bail stating that he could not negotiate the sale of assets, and would commence paying back depositors no sooner he is released. With the hope and belief that we will receive payment, we, depositors, believed this ‘fraudster’ and he was granted bail.
Several years have past and Kotelawala has made no efforts to pay back the depositors, thus constituting a violation of bail conditions.
In addition, despite a court ruling to the contrary, several instances of companies with good profits within the Ceylinco Group have changed names, and continue to operate. Does this not constitute a contempt of court?Meanwhile, Sicille Kotelawala is globe-trotting using the funds swindled from us, depositors.
By a letter dated 7th February 2013, addressed to the writer, the British High Commissioner said that – “the United Kingdom has to date not received an extradition request from the Sri Lankan government in relation to this case.” He was of course referring to Sicille Kotelawala.
This letter was tabled in the High Court of Colombo on the 18th March 2013, and State Counsel Damith Totawatte who was present informed Court that steps would be taken through the Justice Ministry to arrest Sicille Kotelawla and bring her to Sri Lanka in order to face justice.
We, the depositors are fully aware that the previous regime, for their own benefits, did sweet nothing to rectify the situation.
But what of the present regime? Appeals to the present Minister of Justice for the extradition order to be issued, have fallen on deaf ears. Common courtesy calls for an acknowledgment to a letter, but even this is not so.
Meanwhile the Minister of Finance assured GK depositors that they will be paid their money within the 100 day programme of the present government. Sadly, 100 days have come and gone and we, depositors are in the same pitiable state, as no concrete efforts have been made so far to make these promises a reality.
Where is the rule of law that we expected?
In a recent television interview, Kotelawala played the role of a tele-drama actor and claimed innocence of any knowledge of the running of GK and of its depositor base. In fact, he made a public statement to the effect that all monies deposited therein is “black money”.
If this is the case, the question arises that, if Kotelawala as Chairman of the Ceylinco Group under which GK functioned, had in fact, accepted “black money”, as he claimed was deposited in GK, shouldn’t the law enforcement authorities have been quick to move in and have him, and his band of thieves, arrested and remanded for ‘money laundering’?
Kotelawala has not only swindled the depositors of GK of their hard earned money but has now made a mockery of the judicial system of this country.
Fraud and corruption; lies and deception it appears has come to stay in our society, and nobody is concerned, not even the law enforcement authorities.
GK depositors are like driftwood, swaying to and fro, passing each day with the hope of receiving our money at least now, after six long years.
We make an earnest appeal to President Maithripala Sirisena to intervene and bring us relief. Or do we have to wait and solely depend on the Supreme Court for a worthy judgment against the gross injustices caused to us by all concerned?.
Bryan Nicholas
Kirulapone