Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara on Biz1st in Focus programme pointed out that the time in which Mahinda Rajapaksa was in office from 2005 to 2015 coincides with the times mentioned in the global Integrity report and all these reports coming from the International Arena

The former minister further added that he made Mahinda Rajapaksa aware that money was leaving the country and the value for the goods are not coming back to the country. So, that money is lying outside the country and these are serious matters which makes the country poorer in terms of foreign reserve.

The former minister further noted that when the issue was raised, the former president had called up the Secretary to the treasury Jayasundara and Ajith Cabral, the Governor of the Central Bank, to raise the issue with them.

“I raised the issue with them. And then their reply was that we are not in a control regime and that presently our finance is in an open regime with our current account convertible” said the former minister who added that Therefore there was no legal obligation for a person who has money going out of the country to bring it back in full or in part that it is entirely left to the person whether he will bring it back or not.

“We have to investigate this” charged Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs ,Dr. Harsha de Silva who added that almost all countries that profess good governance have begun investigations and so the moment the governor steps foot back at the central bank from Washington there is hope that he will immediately instruct his officers to start this investigation in earnest.

“I expect the CBSL to come out with a comprehensive report on this very soon” said the deputy minister.

Minister of Finance,Ravi Karunanayake stated that the necessary authority has been granted to investigate all areas where Sri Lankan companies have been involved, which has not been disclosed.

The Finance Minister pointed out that having a tax haven is not the problem but non-disclosure is the problem.

(Newsfirst.lk)