Archives

Pramuka 'Gold Certificate' fiasco : Top public officials under CID scrutiny

by Sarath Malalasekera

Heads of 33 Government Departments are alleged to have collected over Rs.40.5 million as incentive "Gold Certificates" from over Rs.70.2 billion State funds deposited in Pramuka Bank from 1997 to 2002.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will question several top public servants next week in connection with this illegal transactions.

The CID will also question several senior officials of the Central Bank in connection with their ongoing investigations into the Pramuka Bank.

Earlier the CID commenced investigation into the illegal activities of the Pramuka Bank on a complaint made by the Central Bank.

The CID has obtained the list of names of the top public servants who had allegedly collected one percent incentive from the State funds ranging from Rs.20 million to Rs.40 million.

The CID investigations revealed that a Finance Ministry Circular in 1997 has allowed State funds to be deposited in private banks. The Maligakanda Magistrate and Additional District Judge Kusala Sarojani Weerawardena earlier directed former Chairman of the Pramuka Bank Rohan Perera, its Managing Director A.H.A. Mendis, six senior managerial staff of the Pramuka Bank and two residents of Wennappuwa not to leave the country without court permission.

The Judge also ordered Rohan Perera not to enter the bank at Kollupitiya until further notice. The Judge made these orders on an application by State Counsel Harippriya Jayasundera who appearerd with the CID for the prosecution.

The CID is investigating to trace two residents of Wennappuwa to record their statements. The case before the Maligakanda Magistrate will be called on January 24 .

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager