Financial Institution Sen-Hiru defrauds Rs 800mn of deposits

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A financial institution named Sen-Hiru, has defrauded over Rs 800mn of funds in deposits. Two financial institutions named Sen-Hiru Micro Credit and Sen Hiru Lands and Credit, offered a range of services to the public, including the advancing of business loans, instant credit facilities, acceptance of deposits and vehicle leasing facilities. A victim: "I deposited all my savings and my children's savings in this company because we knew the owners and they were from the same village. It's hard to live like this. I now depend on my children, as I have sold everything I had. We trusted Suranga and associated him closely. We never distrusted him." They claim, the directors of this company are three individuals named Asanka Premachandra, his wife, Niluka Sanjeewani and another named Suranga Hiddallarachchi. However, Suranga Hiddallarachchi, who is an SLFP member of the Pradeshiya Sabha of Dodangoda, denied those claims. He said he was only a depositor of the financial institution. However, other depositors claim, Suranga Hiddallarachchi's name was included in the company's registration file. Sen-Hiru via social media had announced that Suranga Hidellaarachchi had been appointed as a Director of the respective company, while a number of photographs of Suranga Hiddallarachchi and Asanga Premachandra were posted online. News 1st inquired about this matter from Suranga Hiddallarachchi once again. He said he was appointed as a director of the company without his knowledge. He added, he remained as a director for several months, and in August last year officially stepped down from the position. Stakeholders of the financial institution said, Asanka Premachandra and his wife Niluka Premachandra closed their company, and left the country, during the same time frame. News 1st also attempted to inquire about this matter from, Buddhika Perera who served as the Financial and Public Relations Manager of the respective company. However, he refused to comment in this regard and said he legally resigned from his position, prior to the closure of the company