News
Bimputh Finance heading for liquidation
Over Rs 2 bn so far paid to depositors
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Bimputh Finance PLC (BFP) suspended by the Central Bank in terms of Section 37 of the Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011 is in the process of paying its depositors.
A senior official of the Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions told The Island that of the total liabilities pertaining to BFP depositors, approximately Rs 58 mn was yet to be paid. At the commencement of the process the BFP owed depositors as much as Rs 3 bn, the official said, adding that some of those yet to be compensated couldn’t be located.
However, some depositors have been fully paid and the remaining full amount could be paid through the same process, the official said.
Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions regulates and supervises Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) and Specialised Leasing Companies (SLCs) in terms of the Finance Business Act of 42 of 2011 and the Finance Leasing Act No 56 of 2000.
The official said that on Sept 01, 2023 the Central Bank withdrew the license issued to BFP and made a public announcement regarding the payment of compensation to the remaining depositors. “All claims should be made within two years from Sept 1, 2023,” the spokesperson said.
Responding to another query, the official said that once the compensation payment process was brought to a successful conclusion, the Central Bank would move on to the next stage. That would be the appointment of a liquidator by a competent court after the Central brings the matter to the notice of the Attorney General, the official said.
Daya Gamage founded the BFP in late July 2007, a year before he successfully contested the election for the Eastern Provincial Council. During the Yahapalana (2015-2019) administration the UNP National Organizer Gamage served as Minister of Primary Industries.
The official said that regulatory authorities had no option but to direct BFP to begin compensation payments after consolidation attempts failed. Had the BFP been successful in its negotiations, its assets and liabilities could have been passed on to another party thereby avoiding the liquidation process.
The Island also raised the developments pertaining to loans acquired by BFC during the period of operations against the backdrop of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) taking up a loan the failed company obtained from HDFC Bank during the Yahapalana administration.
Last Nov the COPE inquired about Rs 350 mn loan HDFC Bank had released to BFP on July 18, 2018. The COPE hadn’t inquired about this particular loan at least once prior to it as the HDFC was never summoned before COPE during the tenure of Sunil Handunetti and Charitha Hearath as Chairman of the watchdog committee.
According to parliamentary records, HDFC Bank appeared before COPE on Nov 04, 2014 before being called again in Nov 2023 by Prof. Rajith Bandara.
The Director, Resolution and Enforcement Department has assured depositors of BPF that they would be compensated in line with the provisions of the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme (SLDILSS) Regulation No 02 of 2021.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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