Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

CB pays huge amount as legal fees on hedging deal

12 May 2014 03:15 am - 6     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Despite repeated denials about  the Central Bank’ involvement in the controversial   hedging deal, it had paid as much as Rs. 480 million as lawyers’ fees regarding the transaction referred to the international arbitration panels, the Daily Mirror learns.

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) discussed the financial reports of the Central Bank last week at its meeting conducted in the parliamentary complex.

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) struck a deal to hedge its purchases of crude and refined products on the international market in 2007.   It was done when the oil prices were hitting US $ 147 a barrel in 2008.  

However, the prices crashed to less than US $ 40 a barrel later, compelling the CPC to make payments to various banks with whom the hedging deal was signed with.

The deals were later taken to the Supreme Court with a ruling that the payments should not be made.

These banks sought international arbitration afterwards.

CPC struck this deal with Standard Charted Bank, Deutsche Bank, Citibank, Commercial Bank and the People’s Bank.

The role of the Central Bank was implicated in this transaction which caused huge losses to the government.

However, the report of the Auditor General said that the Central Bank paid Rs. 420 million on behalf of the CPC, but only Rs. 147.5 million had been recovered up to the end of 2013.  

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said this payment had been made on behalf of the government and CPC and it would be reimbursed.  

Also, the rep[ort of the Auditor General says the Central bank lost Rs. 36 billion in the gold transactions due to the diminishing prices in the world market and it was a global phenomenon well beyond the control of Sri Lanka.(By Kelum Bandara)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 6

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • T.MALLAWA Monday, 12 May 2014 07:13 AM

    THE GOVERNOR HAS THE HABIT OF DISMISSING THESE COLOSSAL BLUNDERS AND EXTRAVAGANZA IN SIMPLISTIC TERMS BUT IF THIS REIMBURSEMENT IS TO BE BY CPC AND GOVERNMENT, IT IS US THE ORDINARY CITIZENS WHO HAVE TO CARRY THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THROUGH DIRECT, INDIRECT OR HIDDEN LEVIES !

    Yellow Card Monday, 12 May 2014 12:02 PM

    Where is that Peterite who was responsible for all this... Playing golf in Africa???....looks like karma caught upto him

    samarethunge Tuesday, 13 May 2014 04:13 AM

    Its OK. China will lend us the money.

    old citizen Tuesday, 13 May 2014 11:24 AM

    Who are the lucky lawyers.? Another white elephant.

    king Tuesday, 13 May 2014 03:03 PM

    tell mahinda to pay it.he can pay it by his money.

    M.O.A.Careem Wednesday, 14 May 2014 10:16 AM

    people money - paid to offshore bank - resource depreciate very fast.- repercussion to public?


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H