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The Government’s intensive efforts to obtain details of money deposited by a former VVIP’s son in a Dubai bank have come a cropper. Authorities in the emirate have made clear that the request cannot be proceeded with since it would be contrary to their banking laws and practices. One source said the Dubai authorities contended that substantial evidence had not been presented to show that such funds were lying in a bank in the emirate, and that, if there were, they were raised through criminal or other illegal means. Whispered another: “Violating their own banking secrecy would see a damning erosion of funds which could force them (the emirate) into bankruptcy.”

The task first fell on the Stolen Assets Recovery Task Force headed by attorney J.C. Weliamuna. Among those who are members of the high profile Task Force are those from the Police Department, the Commission to Probe Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Attorney General’s Department.

The setting up of such a Task Force became one of the election issues. Visiting US dignitaries, particularly Secretary of State John Kerry, during his April visit to Sri Lanka also offered assistance to trace stolen assets of leaders of the previous Government. However, little progress has been made so far. When the original Weliamuna mission did not provide results, the matter was thereafter pursued by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

CIABOC Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, FCID Chief, senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara, held meetings with high ranking officials of the Interior Ministry in Dubai, as revealed earlier in the Sunday Times.

Minister faces battle with cobra

The house he is building in Colombo is not still ready for occupancy. So, the new minister was successful in obtaining a Government bungalow which he wants to use when he is in the City and not travelling to the hills, his home base now.
He has, however, encountered a problem of sorts. The vacant house is being occupied, of all things, by a cobra. Efforts to have the reptile moved out have failed so far.
One of the suggestions the minister has received is to hold a thovil or devil dancing ceremony to oust the present occupant.

The tale-carrier diplomat knows how to survive
If a Foreign Affairs Ministry tale, channelled through at least three different sources, sang hosannas of the Minister and all the great things he was doing, there were other goings on that none would talk of, at least not officially.

Another tale comes amidst claims that careerists are now at the vanguard of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy pursuits. Of course, for some, it could still be one that centres on a careerist, not from the dwindling died-in-the wool diplomats but one who excels in carrying VIP bags and carrying tales to VIPs.

This is the tale of the one who campaigned against Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential election campaign. He gravitated in the DPL orbit nonstop for nine long years. That was in four different stations, thanks to the patronage of his political masters.
Now the talk in the corridors of the Foreign Office is how he pole-vaulted to the yahapalanaya (good governance) front and bagged a top posting in West Asia. All because he won the heart and mind of the immediate boss by calling him “Er!! Um! um!!!, Saar, Saar”.

Little wonder even Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared that he would not involve FO types when he plans or executes a foreign itinerary. Guess, who came for Mangala’s party -Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera hosted a gala year-end party on Friday night for ministers, businessmen and diplomats.

Among those present were President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The businessmen included Harry Jayawardena and Tiran Alles.

Eight Acting DIGs can’t wear right uniform

Eight Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) have been promoted to the rank of acting Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) but strangely it seems a ‘top secret’ known only to them. For others, they will still continue to officiate as Senior Superintendents of Police for they will only wear regalia of that office.
The reason: To become eligible to be a DIG, one is required to serve in the rank of SSP for at least five years. The eight acting DIGs possessed only four years as SSPs and hence will have to continue to function in that capacity notwithstanding their new rank. They are forbidden from wearing the regalia of a DIG.
This situation has already raised an issue. The acting DIGs are to be posted to be in charge of divisions. This is the usual procedure except in the case of those heading specialised agencies. In such an event, they will, at least in the eyes of the rank and file, be only on par with the SSPs.
Representations have already been made to the newly set up Police Commission about the situation.
The eight SSPs who are acting DIGs from December 1 are:
M.B. Marso (Director, Special Branch), Nilantha Jayawardena (Director, State Intelligence Service), Mohamed Jiffry (Director, Medical Services), Gamini Welgama (Director Training), G. Pathinayake (Director – Headquarters Administration), Pathmasiri Munasinghe (SSP – Galle), Jagoda Arachchi (Director, Presidential Security Division), and Rohan Silva (attached to PSD).
Avant Garde’s boss keeps on firing
Avant Garde Maritime Security Services Limited filed action in the Court of Appeal on Friday seeking a writ on the Police over the non-issuance of licences for 91 weapons, including repeater shot guns,in the company’s possession
The application filed by its Chairman Nissanka Senadipathi is seeking a writ to prevent the Police from proceeding against the company when the current licensing period ends on December 31.
Mr. Senadipathi had also requested court to direct the Nugegoda Police to recommend the renewal of those licences, reportedly issued from 2002, and direct Colombo’s District Secretary Sunil Kannangara to issues the licences.
Licences for weapons are issued every calendar year by the District Secretary after a recommendation is made by the Police officer in charge of a division. The illegal possession of a repeater, if proven in courts, carries a lifetime penalty.
Mr. Senadipathi has cited the IGP, DIG Western Province South, SSP Nugegoda and OIC Mirihana Police as respondents.
The company’s latest request, a Police Headquarters source said, had been put on hold until the Ministry of Defence gave a ruling. This is on the grounds that Avant Garde is now under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
These weapons have been held by AGMSL at the land-based establishments and were not the ones on board the two vessels Mahanuwara and Avant Garde.
SB’s quip on former PM
The task of granting approvals to State officers to travel abroad, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told last Wednesday night’s ministerial meeting, was too cumbersome for his office to handle.
This was because his office did not have enough staff to process written requests for permission to travel. Hence, he recommended that each ministry should process the requests for permission for their staff to travel abroad.
Seizing the opportunity during the discussion on the subject was Minister S.B. Dissanayake. He asked ministers whether they were aware why the requirement to obtain the Premier’s permission was introduced.
He claimed that was because the previous Prime Minister did not have work to do. So he was asked to screen applications from State service officers to go abroad, Mr. Dissanayake said much to the laughter of his ministerial colleagues.