Video: Govt. looking at laws to prevent ‘white collar crime’

23 August 2012 08:13 am

Minister and Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said today the government would look into possibilities of introducing laws to prevent white collar crime.

He made these remarks when Daily Mirror questioned him about the government’s stance on the resignation of CSE Chairman Thilak Karunarathne.

“If there are no laws covering white collar crime the government will definitely have to look into introducing these laws,” he said.

When the minister was asked what action the government planned on taking against those alleged to have perpetrated ‘white collar crime’, he said these matters would be investigated within the existing framework.

“There is a legal framework governing this and they will be looked into within that framework. I suppose that within this framework there are also methods to deal with these crimes, if they have taken place,” he said and added that despite allegations of wrong doings within the market, there had been views to the contrary by certain ‘key players’.

“There have been different views expressed by some of the key players in the SEC saying there has been nothing of that sort. So there is a debate on this but there is room for action if one party feels that any malpractices have taken place,” the minister said

When it was pointed out that the person responsible for regulating the market had resigned saying he was unable to perform his duties, the minister said these allegations would be looked into.

“The reasons for his resignations will be looked into and investigated by the Finance Ministry,” he said.( Hafeel Farisz)