ETI Finance Depositors Demand the Truth

Colombo (News 1st): Officials representing the Independent Organisation to Protect ETI depositors went to the CID yesterday (February 13). They gave a statement about a complaint which had been previously lodged. Anusha Jayanthi, the Chairman of the Organisation to Protect ETI Depositors spoke at the meeting. She said that ETI had misled and deceived the depositors for eight years by producing fraudulent accounts. She stressed that although on May 22nd, 2017, the Directors of ETI Finance had given written notice to the Central Bank stating that they are unable to pay back the depositors, they enticed people to make deposits. According to her, the scam has been carried out strategically with the assistance of Central Bank officials. She added that the CID must commence an investigation. Wasantha Samarasinghe, the convener for the Voice Against Corruption shared his thoughts on this possible scam. He said that the Central Bank had taken ETI under its supervision. ETI had obtained deposits worth more than Rs.35 billion and had only a net worth of nearly Rs.15 billion. He stressed that it was revealed that Mano Tittawela was responsible for the situation. It was later sold to Lyca Mobile. He questioned, "What happened to the depositor's money?" He continued saying that the mastermind behind all this could be the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in Singapore, Nimal Weeraratne, an active member of the UNP. He asked if Mano Tittawela is willing to bear the responsibility of these depositors, and the job security and rights of the employees. He also inquired "What connection do Nimal Weeraratne and Rajaratnam Sellvakanthan have in this? What was the deal they struck to sell off ETI group of companies which belongs to Swarna Mahal? People of this country have a right to know ". Chandrasena Wijesinghe, Convener of First Front was reached over the phone regarding this matter. He said that the details of the group who was behind this conspiracy have come to light. He said that the significant names from this group are Rajaratnam Sellavakanthan, Nimal Weeraratne, Alex Lowell and Mano Titawela who is the advisor to the Minister of Finance. He demanded the authorities to probe into this matter and to the find relief to those affected by this.