Sri Lanka to probe hidden foreign assets after Rajapaksa defeat
Sri Lanka’s new government is to investigate “black money” transferred overseas by powerful figures in the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, a cabinet spokesman said on Thursday.
The move came a day after the government of President Maithripala Sirisena, who defeated Rajapaksa in an election on Jan. 8, said it would investigate all financial deals sealed by Rajapaksa and his brothers during his term.
“Black money invested in various foreign countries is going to be investigated,” said cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senarathne, referring to illegal capital flight.
“You all know about this black money and these hidden foreign assets,” he told reporters. “We are aware of these. We will provide all the information, whatever is available to us, to a special investigation unit. ”
Senarathne did not mention Rajapaksa by name, but said the government had information that some of the black money belonged to “big people”, whom he described as “powerful in the hierarchy” of the previous government.
Sirisena focused his election campaign on alleged misuse of public funds and powers by Rajapaksa and his family members, many of whom held public office during his decade in power. The former president has rejected all the allegations against him.
The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and a Financial Intelligence Unit functioning under India’s central bank have agreed to assist the investigation into undeclared foreign assets and financial irregularities in Sri Lanka, a government document said.
The government estimates around 700 billion rupees ($5.31 billion) were taken out of the country in 2013 alone.
Earlier on Thursday, the island nation’s anti-corruption body barred former central bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Sajin De Vas Gunawardena, a parliamentarian close to Rajapaksa, from leaving the country due to corruption complaints. Both have rejected allegations of misusing public funds.
(Reuters)
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But don’t forget about 100 day promises and good governance also because of revenging & betraying.
Hey hey , they dint misuse it , they swallowed public funds in billions rather.these stray dogs must be punished severely, not only them but also thebig money eaters who burped them. (Mahinda paule kattiya).
Boruwen rajakm Kalth, Kala de pala dena bava sathyaki.
Basil dehipitiarachchi – Moratuwa.
I think we need to investigate all of the people who was with MR for so many years while all these robberies were going on. Surely Sri Lankans can not be so dumb to believe that all the frogs who jumped fences when it suited them after being with the MR regime for so long are as innocent as they say they are. If we can believe that then we are more than stupid.
Also I am sure that the current regime will also dip in to to the funds of the Government. This is unfortunate but true. Money and power changes most people. When there is money there is corruption.