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EU adds SL to money laundering blacklist

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9 February 2018 01:50 am - 36     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The European Parliament has confirmed that Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Trinidad and Tobago were on the European Commission’s blacklist of countries at risk for acts of money-laundering.

In a statement, the European Parliament on Wednesday said despite intense efforts by some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), they have failed to achieve the 376-vote absolute majority needed to reject the inclusion of Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago in the European Commission’s list of non-EU countries considered to have strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regimes.

“The vote on Wednesday reflected the split in Parliament over the issue, with 357 votes in support of the motion to 283 votes against and 26 abstentions,” it said.

As part of its obligations under the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive, the European Commission is periodically obliged to draw up a list of “high-risk third countries”.

European Parliament has veto power over the blacklist, which is one of the tools in the European Union’s armoury to protect its financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing.

In mid-December, in line with its custom of following the lead of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Commission has decided to include Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Trinidad and Tobago to its blacklist.

In a statement to Parliament on Monday, the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourová, declined some MEPs’ requests to de-list Tunisia as one of the blacklisted countries


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  Comments - 36

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  • palle Friday, 09 February 2018 08:47 AM

    Thanks RK.

    Saman Friday, 09 February 2018 11:14 AM

    He was awarded the title of best finance minster in Asia....$$$$$

    sach Friday, 09 February 2018 02:48 PM

    Thanks RW

    rathne Friday, 09 February 2018 03:52 PM

    It is grateful if anyone is explained the major reasons for behind this blacklist

    Missaka Friday, 09 February 2018 08:57 AM

    Very good progress made by the Government. Well done. Keep it up till 2020. Investors will flooding to the country.

    ase Friday, 09 February 2018 02:23 PM

    don't say Govt. this is a result of our non thinking President to say as an example " out of 10 billion $s only one is booked" this man damage with his effort to damage UNP than he could imagine

    Govinda Friday, 09 February 2018 09:35 AM

    Another notable achievement by Gava Palanaya

    Ravi Wikramasinghe Friday, 09 February 2018 09:40 AM

    What’s happening to west sponsored good governance

    Deen Friday, 09 February 2018 09:44 AM

    BLACKLISTED with 3 African poorest countries. Not bad.

    R Friday, 09 February 2018 03:27 PM

    Dumbest comment so far. Trinidad is a wealthy country and so is Tunisia.

    Rohitha Friday, 09 February 2018 10:00 AM

    Closing the stable door after the horses bolted ?

    Gayan Friday, 09 February 2018 10:22 AM

    But the Govt said they won the international community.

    Aruna Friday, 09 February 2018 10:50 AM

    No problem, Sirisena will phone to his co called friends in EU parliament and get it lifted.

    citizen Friday, 09 February 2018 11:03 AM

    A major blow to the Sri Lankan financial market.. Over to you Minister of Finance???Where is the country heading??

    Ganjapani Gorakapola Friday, 09 February 2018 11:10 AM

    Great, Yahapalana adding feathers to our National Cap. We are in the top 4 corrupt countries, now we are in top 4 countries for money laundering. Sirisena who claims to a Leader of International Recognition and Stature, should appeal to Trump, HE Queen and Putin for clemency!

    Lord Wolfstein Friday, 09 February 2018 11:21 AM

    The EU is less concerned with money laundering or terrorist financing, but with tax evasion by its citizens.

    Senaka Friday, 09 February 2018 11:27 AM

    Sorry EU, it’s just that our politicians are too busy engaging in corruption and don’t have the time to attend to important matters like regulating SL’s financial system.

    Aka Friday, 09 February 2018 11:37 AM

    Guess this is what happens when you depend on mysterious investors.http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/sri-lanka-turns-to-mystery-investor-in-bid-to-defend-rupee-102619.html

    Ranil Friday, 09 February 2018 12:01 PM

    It isNamal and RAVI who are money launderers. They changed the law, so no oneis at fault.

    Summa Friday, 09 February 2018 12:08 PM

    Our politicians are the champions in laundering dirty linen and blundering the country. There should be a way to punish them not we the citizenry

    Ajja Friday, 09 February 2018 12:11 PM

    YAHA PALANAYA only name sake.Blue and Green... Mung okkoma Kamba Horu....We should chase these rouges tomorrow.....

    Amal Friday, 09 February 2018 01:15 PM

    wow! how much it would be soared?

    dana Friday, 09 February 2018 01:40 PM

    another result of Yaha Palanaya via DM Android App

    Peter Friday, 09 February 2018 01:45 PM

    Shame on you MS for making Sri Lanka black listed for money laundering. This is a record for you to carry on till your last days of life for being leader of this country. It will be good for you to hide behind your sarong and say a silent prayer with your corrupted goons.When you go around discrediting other people and parties this is what happens to you. We want you out of this government that you have ruined with corrupted officials and methods which only you know. The country has goen to the dogs. Where is the golden sword, good time to use it on yourself.

    Lahiru Friday, 09 February 2018 02:36 PM

    Yes MS

    RAVI Friday, 09 February 2018 02:47 PM

    Majority of our politicians and top government officials are money launderers so they do not want to implement money laundering legislation in line with International norm.

    Ceylon Friday, 09 February 2018 02:49 PM

    un necesary restrictions destroy investments,and money creation.it severely hurt economy,job creation.implimenation allways create mistakes intentional and un intentional.happens.final sufferers are common people.

    Ceylon Friday, 09 February 2018 02:52 PM

    They developed allready with those rules and telling not yet developed countries those rules are no good. What a world is this??.

    realSaman Friday, 09 February 2018 03:06 PM

    Congratulations!

    Sincere Friday, 09 February 2018 03:25 PM

    We have reached another milestone in our international relations. Now its just a matter of giving a phone call to Putin!

    Ahmed Friday, 09 February 2018 03:27 PM

    looks like someone is taking a big revenge from sri lanka.

    Patriot Friday, 09 February 2018 04:29 PM

    Another commission will be set up to look into the matter.

    Pachaya Friday, 09 February 2018 05:57 PM

    The speed of country moving forward is amazing....By 2020 we could imagine where we would be. Thanks

    Patriot Saturday, 10 February 2018 10:31 AM

    China will take over half of the country and remaining India.

    Ozman Friday, 09 February 2018 10:35 PM

    Results of Good Governance Govt. Thanks to the hard work RK and the able leadership of RW along with his sleeping partner MS

    Upeka Sunday, 11 February 2018 10:26 AM

    The reason behind this as presented by the European Parliament is the lack of laws to avoid financial support to terrorism and money laundering. Hope these irresponsible people think twice before bragging about the incident and scolding only the current government without finding reasons for this. Hope you guys remember opening Sri Lankan support banks in countries with very low Sri Lankan population and employing a staff more dan the Sri Lankan population of that respective country. but nothing takes away from the current government on the lack of the ability to take steps to correct the misery by the alias government.


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