Impound passports of those named in CBSL forensic audit: Wasantha Samarasinghe

Colombo (News 1st): Civil and political activists pointed out today, that legal action must be taken against those responsible for the Airbus transactions and the Central Bank Bond scam. Convener of the National People's Council Chameera Perera noted that those accused of committing various wrongdoings, all of a sudden go missing once investigations are launched. He said that they have witnessed many cases like, Udayanga Weerathunga, Arjuna Mahendran, and Jaliya Wickremesuriya who fled the country. He noted that currently, the forensic audit reports have been released and there are many to point fingers. He added that the former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has already started to convene media briefings over this matter and is accusing the audit firm that prepared the forensic audit reports. Perera said that when the finger has been pointed to the thief, launch an investigation into this matter, instead of speaking of the finger that has been pointed. He stressed that when investigations are launched, the past is erased and there is no point in closing the stable after the horse runs away. He urged the relevant authorities to take action and ensure these perpetrators will not leave the country and escape the law. Meanwhile, Convener of the Voice Against Corruption Wasantha Samarasinghe also spoke regarding the matter;

"Jaliya Wickramasuriya disappeared at one point. Udaya Weerathunga went missing in 2015 and is yet to return to Sri Lanka. Arjuna Mahendran disappeared in Singapore. He will not return to the island, as he is the main suspect in the Central Bank bond scam. We all witnessed how the former chief executive officer of SriLankan Airlines and his spouse had defrauded the airline. They had to surrender, as the problem went too far. Now even Cabraal is trying to act like a baby. He now claims the audit firms that prepared the forensic audit reports are not good enough. Cabraal is afraid of being arrested. In a few more days Cabraal too will disappear. If we are to prevent such a situation from occurring, we must ensure the passports of those who were named in the forensic audit will be impounded. We urge the President to take legal action against the wrongdoers before they leave the country and disappear. We urge him to impose a travel ban against these individuals until legal proceedings conclude as they stole nearly Rs 30 billion of public funds."