Breaking News: CJ Replies The Rupees 250 Million Bank Transaction Allegation – ‘False, Malicious And Deeply Disturbed’ – CJ
By Colombo Telegraph -December 5, 2012
The Lawyers for the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake replied to the allegations related to her bank accounts in certain newspapers. Last Sunday state run Sunday observer published a detail report of her bank transactions under the title “Expose: The dual role of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake“. The news paper said; “Accordingly, it is now time for the law enforcement authorities to commence a probe regarding the true nature of this Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake’s highly suspicious financial dealings. If that is to be done in an impartial manner, she cannot remain as the Chief Justice of the country.”
We publish below the full texts of the reply and the Sunday Observer article;
Date: 5fh December, 2012
Your Ref :
Our Ref : KN/MM-SC (206)
Dear Sir,
We are instructed by our client Dr Shirani A Bandaranayake to address this communication.
Our client’s attention has been drawn to articles regarding our client’s bank accounts in certain newspapers designed purely to defame our client.
These articles falsely and maliciously distort the truth in relation to our client’s bank accounts and declarations.
These articles seem to suggest that our client;
a.) has wrongfully withdrawn monies from certain accounts in order to show a zero balance as at the 3 1st of March of a particular year
b.) was in receipt of sums of approximately Rupees 250 Million during the year 1st April 2010 to the 31st March 201 1.
Our client at the very outset firmly states that both these statements are totally false.
The truth is as follows;
i.) Our client had investments in Government Treasury Bills which were invested for short periods of time because our client felt that she may have to access these monies at short notice
ii.) These sums were credited to a special account opened by the bank to route investments from the realization of one Treasury Bill to the purchase of another Treasury Bill. This is the normal and regular procedure followed for several constituents of the Bank
iii.) These monies did not at any stage lie in the account for a period of more than a day or two
v.) All investments in Treasury Bills were duly and properly declared in our client’s assets and liabilities declaration
v.) A simple illustration may be useful.
If Mr. A had Rupees 10,000/- in a 7 day Treasury Bill, at the end of the 7 days that Rupees 10,000/- together with the interest accrued is credited to the special account.
On the 7th day or the 8th day, the total money is re-invested in a new Treasury Bill for another period of 7 days. This process continuously goes on for a period of one year. If all credit entries are added it would show Rupees 10,000 plus interest multiplied by 52 which is approximately 520,000 plus interest. However all that Mr. A in fact had was the original Rupees 10, OOO plus interest.
vi.) This is what in fact happened in the case of our client. However certain newspapers have falsely and maliciously added up all the entries in a way that would create the impression that our client had Rupees 252 million which gives a totally false and distorted impression. In actual fact our client never had Rupees 252 Million or a sum anywhere close to the said sum.
vii.) Our client re-iterates that every single cent had by our client has been declared in the relevant declarations of assets and liabilities.
viii.) It is also clear that our client did not withdraw amounts from the account prior to 31st March of each year in order to create a distorted view. The monies were always in Government securities at all times except for a day or two, between the date of maturity and the date of re-investment during which such monies were in the aforementioned special current account.
ix.) All Treasury Bills purchased on behalf of our client have been duly and properly declared
x.) Our client is also surprised as to how certain newspapers have details of her bank accounts.
xi.) Our client is deeply disturbed that this information is now in the public domain when in fact such information should be private and confidential information in terms of the law.
xii.) We may add that the Chief Justice of the country, as a citizen is also entitled to the protection of the law of the land.
xiii.) We may also note that these allegations have not even been raised as allegations in the impeachment process.
xiv.) Since wide publicity has been already given to the aforesaid allegations, we would be most grateful if you could publish this letter in order to correct and clarify the matter.
Yours
faithfully,
(Neelakandan & Neelakandan)
Attorneys-at-Law & Notaries Public
