Central Bank To Investigate Secret Bank Accounts
- Over 85 million Swiss francs invested by Sri Lankans in secret Swiss bank accounts
By Indika Sri Aravinda
An investigation is to be launched to see how over 85 million Swiss francs was invested by Sri Lankans in secret Swiss bank accounts last year. A Swiss franc is equal to around US$ 1.048.
The Exchange Control Department of the Central Bank said that currency to that value cannot be deposited in foreign bank accounts without clearance from the Central Bank.
The official also said that there are no records of money to the value of 85 million Swiss francs being deposited in any Swiss bank through a local bank.
Central Bank Exchange Control Department Controller M. R. M Abeyratne said that the money may have been deposited into the accounts of the depositors by their relatives in Switzerland.
Swiss banks however do not reveal the details of the account holder.
He said that the Central Bank will consider new laws in future to prevent foreign currency going out of the country through illegal means.
When The Sunday Leader contacted the Customs Department a spokesperson said that only a maximum of US$ 10,000 can be taken out of the country after it is declared at the airport Customs Department counter.
The spokesperson however said there was no declaration to the value of 85 million Swiss francs at any given time.
Meanwhile the spokesperson said that the money could have gone through the VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) without being checked.
The spokesperson insisted that if the money had gone through the normal system at the airport then it would have been detected.
UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake accused the Central Bank of leaving room for foreign currency to go out of the country by relaxing laws after President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power in 2005.
He said that Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal should take responsibility for this issue.
The UNP MP said that people using the VIP lounge should also be checked.
I red recently one ministers body guard was caught with a bag full oe dollers and nobody takls about it.The account of the Swiss bank may be belongs to the (solike)ministers and family members of MR.This is Siri Lanka,What you question in parliment is never happen it is a Joke?
It is not necessary for Foreign Exchage to be taken away from Sri Lanka to be deposited in Swiss Banks.
Those who get Commissions from foreign entities can easily deposit them in Swiss Banks without any problems.
The Question is-
How to catch these people who earn Commissions abroad?
This will be like arresting the Abductors in the White Vans and it will never go far!!!
Pro Bono Sri Lankan Publico
I bet my last Rupee to say that holders of Swiss Bank A/cs are; MR himself and his brothers and sons, and of course mega crook Ajith Nivad Cabraal and perhaps P. B. Jayasundera.
Seriously!
Yes this needs to be checked and the money brought back to SL.
But who will check the money hidden by our Politician!
85 millions Swiss Frank was swindled out of the country in one year alone. They must investigate Mr 10%, youngest billionaire and their whole family. They must also investigate the bank accounts of every minister and high government officers.
Starting with the top and then their family members and their henchmen.
HA!!!!! HA!!! HAA!!!!!!!!!!!
NIVAD CABRAL TO INVESTIGATE.
ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS.? JOKE OF THE CENTURY.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS AN OLD ADAGE– “SET A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF”
CAN CABRAL TELL US WHY FOREIGN EXCHANGE LAWS WERE RELAXED BEFORE ELECTIONS. AND THEN AFTER A WHILE WE WERE TOLD YOU COULD BRING IN ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY.- THE LAUNDERING WAS OVER
I FULLY ENDORSE RAVI KARUNANAYAKE’S STATEMENT.
THE CUSTOM’S IDIOT SHOULD KNOW VIP’S ARE NOT CHECKED AND HE IS
“BULLSHITTING” WHEN HE SAYS;
“The spokesperson however said there was no declaration to the value of 85 million Swiss francs at any given time.”
CUSTOMS OFFICERS ARE THE MOST CORRUPT OFFICIALS
Cabraal probably takes alot of this when he leaves the country on his many international trips via the VIP lounge.
Yeah and pigs will fly soon and there will be pink elephants sighted in Yala !
Ravi Karunanayake talking of financial transactions ……my FOOT !
FIRST INVESTIGATE RAJA PARAYA AND HIS HORA SAMAGAMA ACCOUNTS BEFORE GO ANY FURTHER THAT IS WHERE ALL THE NATIONAL MONEY IS..