JVP wants Lankans in ‘Panama Papers’ probed

By Niranjala Ariyawansha-2016-04-20

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) emphasized yesterday the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) should begin investigations immediately into the alleged illicit money transactions that have been revealed through the 'Panama Papers'.

The Voice Against Corruption said the CBSL and IRD should commence investigations and......make inquiries into Sri Lankans whose names have been revealed as depositors in Panama banks.

The Convener of the Voice against Corruption, North Central Provincial Council member Wasantha Samarasinghe made this comment yesterday at a press briefing in Colombo.

He also alleged that the CBSL was using funds of the Rs 1,300 billion Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) account to invest in Treasury Bonds through primary dealers, thus causing massive losses to the EPF.

He also alleged that in order to prevent this situation from being disclosed, officers who are against corruption at the Central Bank are being transferred.

He also stated although the Voice Against Corruption has lodged complaints with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), all these complaints, as well as complaints from other sources seem to have run aground under this government.