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Panama papers; Amarapala resigns

12 April 2016 05:36 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Megapolis and Western Development Ministry today said though there was a concerted effort by certain interested parties to link Ministry Consultant Vidya Amarapala to the so-called black money scandal ‘Panama Papers’ he had never been involved in such illegal transactions and added, Mr. Amarapala had decided to resign from his post to facilitate any possible inquiry.

The attention of the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry has been drawn to the listing of the name of Ministry consultant Vidya Amarapala in the Panama Papers exposure. Panama is considered a haven for high-end tax dodgers in the world. The tax evaders and holders of slush fund accounts have used company ‘Mossack Fonseca’ as a front to stash away their ill-gotten lucre. However, the list exposed by some websites in Sri Lanka that includes Mr. Amarapala’s name does not have any link to Mossack Fonseca or Panama Papares. It was a list of names of Sri Lankans published in 2013 who had allegedly held accounts or had companies in Singapore.

Mr. Amarapala was the Chairman of the CEB between 2010 and 2011, a time during which public concerns had been drawn to financial scandals involving the CEB which was even raised in Parliament. Mr. Amarapala has served as an executive at the IWS Holdings Ltd. owned by Mr. Arthur Senanayaka between 2003 to 2010. He has maintained this particular account while serving as a Director of the Sovereign Capital Corporation (SCC) belonging to Mr. Senanayaka, and that company had never been involved or charged for any wrong-doing up to now. It has also invested in Sri Lanka through the BOI.

However, it was a fact that the consensual government has received a mandate from the public to save the country from corruption, mismanagement and maintain the rule of law and promote the concept of good governance. Therefore, this government is committed to adhere to that principle and honour the trust reposed on it at any cost. Therefore, it is quite pertinent that we must not only refrain totally from corruption, mismanagement and any other misdeeds but behave in a manner no one could level an accusing finger at us.

Mr. Amarapala has decided to keep away from all his responsibilities and functions of this ministry and to tender his resignation papers to Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka with the hope that it will be easier if the Ministry decides to conduct any investigation into the issue.

Minister Ranawaka's Secretary has been directed to lodge a complaint to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) to inquire whether the SCC had been involved in a financial fraud in any way during the period 2003 - 2010 when Mr. Amarapala was serving there. (SAJ)


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  Comments - 18

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  • Leo Thursday, 14 April 2016 08:28 AM

    Funds under his name found but denies any involvment in curroption. Still he can be arrested for the crime of money laundering. via DM Android App

    jolly bird Friday, 15 April 2016 07:10 AM

    PANAMA PAPERS VS SRI LANKA SELF PROCLAIMED PATRIOT POLITICIANS WHO ROBBED THE COUNTRYS WEALTH. via DM Android App

    Sharon Thursday, 14 April 2016 01:37 PM

    We wont get deceived ANYMORE by these media circus via DM iOS App

    Dan Thursday, 14 April 2016 12:41 PM

    You are spot on...mind you that was under the ministership of that self pro-claimed Mr. Clean, Patali Champika...

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 14 April 2016 11:19 AM

    The move is honorable publicly, but their is a lot of dishonorable fellows inside who are ready to help him getaway with the whole thing. You feed me, I feed you is the name of the game and it is well ingrained setup in SL.

    rew Thursday, 14 April 2016 11:06 AM

    Kohetha Yanne, Mul le Pol

    satha Thursday, 14 April 2016 10:30 AM

    hora via DM iOS App

    Unhappy citizen Thursday, 14 April 2016 09:14 AM

    No wonder the megapolis minister had so much of money to throw out during last general election.

    Punny Pellow Thursday, 14 April 2016 08:43 AM

    It is punny no one thought it was punny then, no!!?

    Citizen Wednesday, 13 April 2016 08:41 AM

    Will he be ever questioned What about the CB Governor and the hit and run of the Megapollis Minister via DM Android App

    r. senneviratne Thursday, 14 April 2016 08:21 AM

    Honorable gesture to resign, awaiting inquiry. Appreciate decision.

    TISSA Thursday, 14 April 2016 08:15 AM

    WORLD SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT SRI LANKANS ARE NOW MEMBERS OF YAHAPALANAYA. THEY WILL NOT ROB.

    Upul Thursday, 14 April 2016 12:18 AM

    You are absolutely right. He must have made more than enough to run away from SL, and start up his life in another country.

    Premalal Wednesday, 13 April 2016 08:26 PM

    A classic case of sacrificing pawns to protect the kings, Queens, Rooks and bishops. A deliberate red herring.

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 13 April 2016 07:44 PM

    He loses nothing from resigning, bcos he has made his money for many generations ahead. Even if investigation reveals credible activity of corruption, this will go underground bcos these types do not rob alone but in a powerful group, thus making it impossible to move investigations.

    Lankan Wednesday, 13 April 2016 07:24 PM

    An executive in a private company from 2003 to 2010 becomes the chairman of CEB in 2011. Very funny.

    Andrew Pitugala Wednesday, 13 April 2016 07:05 PM

    Congratulations on his honourable move. Many with very much worse accusations are holding on.

    lkk Wednesday, 13 April 2016 12:28 PM

    minister should resign...... to have a impartial inquiry..... CB Governor already a ..... No point he is investigating in to these issues. Already Nigerian CB governors name surfaced in Panama papers. via DM Android App


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