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FIU request: SL shares more info on Rajapaksa deals

21 February 2015 08:45 am - 27     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka has shared more information with India on the billions of dollars that its new government alleges members of the previous regime headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa had stashed abroad, to support the island nation's request for New Delhi's help to set up a Financial Intelligence Unit to trace the money.

During his India trip earlier this week, new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena told the Indian leadership about accounts in tax havens such as the St Martin Islands, Hong Kong, Macau and Seychelles where he claimed much of the money had been moved to, government officials privy to the discussions told ET. Sirisena also informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian leaders about investments that were allegedly made by the Rajapaksa family in real-estate projects in Dubai, Uganda and Kenya, the officials said.

Sirisena indicated that his government was very serious about pursuing corruption charges against the former president and that it has set up a commission to investigate the charges. As per diplomatic sources, Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera also sought US help in unearthing the money, during his trip there on February 11-15.

Sirisena and the coalition of parties led by him had made corruption a key issue in their successful January election campaign and are moving quickly to fulfil promises.

According to them, powerful figures in the previous government had stashed away $5 billion. The Lankan Cabinet has appointed a high-powered "rapid response team" to look into allegations of corruption in land transactions, stock market price-fixing and abuse of state funds for political purposes. Rajapaksa hasn't yet commented on the allegations.

Officials also pointed out that the meeting between Sirisena and Modi was extremely cordial, which was in stark contrast to interactions with Rajapaksa. New Delhi had been wary about Colombo's close ties under Rajapaksa with Beijing. Sirisena has apparently indicated willingness to correct the China tilt, officials said.

"Rajapaksa, ignoring India's security concerns, continued to deepen defence cooperation with the Chinese government and was even willing to elevate Sino-Sri Lanka relations to a strategic cooperation," an Indian official said. (The Economic Times)
 
 

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  Comments - 27

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  • amen Saturday, 21 February 2015 05:33 PM

    Even Modi is unable to probe on corruption that took place in his country.

    Rose Sunday, 22 February 2015 06:46 PM

    this is an internal matter. Already RW

    Prem Nath Sunday, 22 February 2015 02:53 PM

    What a nice way to govern your country to be governed by outsiders.

    Banda Sunday, 22 February 2015 02:03 PM

    internationalization of allegations!

    Waco Sunday, 22 February 2015 03:05 AM

    Sri Lankans mudt demand for a Presidential Election , before proceeding any further.

    Waco Sunday, 22 February 2015 02:56 AM

    MR referred to MS as "" Modaya " when he was addressing an election meeting this time.

    Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:02 PM

    Open the whole house.

    Freebird Saturday, 21 February 2015 10:19 PM

    we thought MS went to India for some better deals but the deals about former president MR. how is that via DM Android App

    Sara Saturday, 21 February 2015 09:48 PM

    We should be able to settle our domestic issues by our selves. When we needed help so badly, did any of these governments came to our aid? Go with insincere "friends" and realize the mistake at the cost of our sovereignty.Before the elections our politicians spoke as if they had all facts with them and it was a question of just a police entry and prosecution.

    Patriot Saturday, 21 February 2015 07:23 PM

    Sure, we need to investigate and get our money back from MR and others!

    True Lankan Saturday, 21 February 2015 06:38 PM

    It is high time for MR to defend all these allegations. The more keep quite the more he will be accused. Come on MR tell us the truth.

    Chandra Saturday, 21 February 2015 06:24 PM

    Learn to behave diplomatically in internal arena. Resolve internal issues internally. Indians love India only.

    Lima Saturday, 21 February 2015 06:07 PM

    SO ONLY TALKING , MAHINDA , GOTA , BASIL , NAMA, SHIRANTHI , WIMAL DINES, DALLAS ,SB , ETC ALL ROAMING FREELYWHERE THE ACTION , STILL NO ACTION

    Aba Jayasekera Saturday, 21 February 2015 05:39 PM

    Everyone will understand when proof is produced

    Chula Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:50 PM

    True or false all these are allegations without proof. According to MS, you are guilty until proven innocent.

    patriot Saturday, 21 February 2015 05:11 PM

    if you are serious about true development coming to our country then you have to go after those who have been corrupt and set an example that no body can get away from wrong doing. infrastructure development is only one form of development but true development comes when leaders act with good moral conduct. MR has not been a leader with true moral conduct. via DM Android App

    words Saturday, 21 February 2015 04:57 PM

    Every country Mahinda visited is now being suspected as where he holds the stolen billions they cant find. Stupidity I guess they now are desperate to find something after that mammoth rally where people showed support to MR. via DM Android App

    Cheers Saturday, 21 February 2015 04:44 PM

    Both sirisena and modhi are the baby infants of USA according to Indian and Sri lankan intelligence both have no idea and may be both do not understand what each other says language barrier

    wickremasinghe Saturday, 21 February 2015 04:07 PM

    I fully agree with Champ. These days India is the greatest country Sri Lanka has ever known. All the top people are running to India .Are we trying to become the little puppy dog of India? PLEASE DO NOT FORGET SRI LANKA WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IN THIS MESS IF NOT FOR INDIA. Find the culprits and punished them who ever they are big or small. But please do not air our dirty linen to the rest of the world.Dilip

    Realist Saturday, 21 February 2015 04:01 PM

    Chula, hence why the allegations are being investigated. If they were imprisoned by now then they would be guilty until proven. Shame so many people cannot make the distinction between investigations and being found guilty. It only takes a few brain cells.

    kp Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:55 PM

    oh oh oh.....gedera gindara pitata denna epa kiyala kiyanawa ne via DM Android App

    Kumara Dharmarathne Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:29 PM

    Whatever you do,please do it according to Sri Lanka law,without going through short cuts,of course without any delay.

    Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:26 PM

    They now know the IQ of our heads.

    Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:24 PM

    What a shame. Ask USA to assist if required.

    Champ Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:57 PM

    Oh great! Give all details of our transactions to India.. Free espionage for India!! Only idiots of SL fall for these tricks.

    OMG Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:54 PM

    This thing is taking forever. Just charge the guys with the most famous case put them in jail AND THEN go on to the more complex cases.

    Bill Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:53 PM

    We thought he was engaged in bilateral talks.


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