Considered the biggest ever swindling of public assets that has taken place in Sri Lanka, 39.66 metric tons of gold had been sold for 1,824.36 million dollars (Rs. 232,788 million at 2012 exchange rates).

‘Ravaya’ has published a picture of a document empowering one Rajgopal Karthipan to be the middleman in selling the gold to Credit Suisse Securities Ltd. of Japan through Japuda Holding Co. Ltd.

Also published is a copy of an agreement between Karthipan, the local agent for Japuda, and CB-appointed broker Suppiah Somasekaran that had been reached on 27 January 2012.

The lawyer certifying the agreement is Sampath Chaminda Gamage of 385/5, Prasanna Mawatha, Koswatte, Thalangama North.

‘Ravaya’ also says it has a copy of a letter sent by Karthipan to Cabraal on 19 June 2013, following a discussion he had with Mahinda Rajapaksa to obtain their commission money.

All the banking activities with regard to this swindling had taken place through HSBC, while the CB has given the certificates pertaining to origin, ownership, quality, customs clearance, receipt, exportation and exemption from tax, to take the gold out of the country.

No person mentioned in the ‘Ravaya’ article has so far sent the newspaper any explanation, which confirms that the swindling had clearly taken place.

The eight middlemen in the scam are,

W.K.D. Annesley Sovis (NIC 642580132V) of 77, Kananneriyanwala, Pinnawala, Balangoda, Neville Yogendran Christie Suresh Kumara (NIC 70431738V) of 730, housing complex, Kallady, Puttalam, Kumaran Jeyarani (NIC 596620663V) of 77, Kamal Mawatha, Hendala, Watala, H.M. Gamini Kumara Seneviratne (NIC 650485068V) of 523, Galle Road, Mt. Lavinia, I.P. Upul Karunaratne (NIC 652322255V) of 99, Mulaganduva, Induruwa, Tharanga Mahesh Indika Samarasinghe (NIC 723380154V) of 39, Issadeen Town, Matara, Yogaratne Nimalsiri Illangakoon (passport no. 1817465) of Nedungamuwa, Gampaha, and Suppiah Siridaran (NIC 689792062V) of 27, Kadiranawatte, Mutwal.