Amended plaint to be filed against former CB Governor Cabraal

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The court was yesterday informed that the complainant party is expecting to file an amended plaint against the former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, regarding the private plaint filed over the alleged financial irregularities that took place while he was serving as the Central Bank Governor in 2014.

However, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis appearing for Cabraal informed the court that he is expecting to raise objections against the plaint.

Cabraal was present before the court in connection with a private plaint filed by Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, in terms of Section 136(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. The court had earlier issued an order preventing Cabraal from leaving the country regarding this incident.

The petitioner alleged that the Sri Lankan government, when Cabral was functioning as the Central Bank Governor in 2014, had paid US $ 6.5 million through the Central Bank to an American businessman named Imaad Shah Zuberi, who was a CIA mole, to buy influence and fix its image in the US. 

The petitioner further alleged that the US court had held that, out of the said money given to Zuberi on behalf of the Sri Lankan taxpayers, US $ 5.6 million or 80 percent of it had been spent on himself and his wife. 

The petitioner alleged that Cabraal had paid the sum of US $ 6.5 million without having prior approval from Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers in violation of Article 150 of the constitution.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage fixed the matter for November 15.
President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanna appeared for 
the complainant.