News

Clandestine offshore transactions: Finally, Nirupama’s statement recorded

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/10

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The police have questioned former MP Nirupama Rajapaksa as regards revelations made by Pandora Papers pertaining to secret offshore financial transactions.

Authoritative sources told The Island that the police unit assigned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) recorded the former Deputy Minister’s statement on Dec 1, though the outfit was not aware of the development.

When The Island asked Secretary to the CIABOC Apsara Caldera on Dec 3 whether the former MP had been questioned, the official said they were yet to record her statement.

However, sources close to the investigation yesterday (9) confirmed that Rajapaksa’s statement had been recorded on the morning of Dec 1 at the CIABOC. She had been there for about three hours. However, the media hadn’t been informed of the development in spite of the CIABOC being accused of not recording her statement.

The CIABOC consists of retired Supreme Court Justice Eva Wanasundera, retired Appeals Court Justice Deepali Wijesundera and retired DIG Chandra Nimal Wakista, one-time head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS).

Pandora Papers alleged that Nirupama Rajapaksa and Thirukumar Nadesan together controlled a shell company the couple used to acquire luxury apartments in London and Sydney and to make investments.

It is alleged that Nadesan set up other shell companies and trusts in various jurisdictions, and he used them to secure lucrative consulting contracts from foreign companies doing business with the Sri Lankan government and to buy artwork.

According to the Pandora Paper leaks, in 2018, one of the companies, Pacific Commodities, transferred 31 paintings and other South Asian art pieces to the Geneva Freeport, an ultra-secure warehouse where assets are not subject to taxes or duties.

In confidential emails to Asiaciti Trust, a Singapore-based offshore services provider, a long-time adviser of Nadesan’s put his overall wealth, as of 2011, at more than $160 million. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists acknowledged that it couldn’t independently verify the figure. It was alleged that Asiaciti Trust managed some of Nadesan’s offshore companies and trusts, with assets valued at about $18 million, according to an ICIJ analysis.

Subsequently, Pandora Papers revealed transactions carried out by R. Paskaralingam, one-time Ministry Secretary and advisor to late Presidents Ranasinghe Premadasa, and D.B. Wijetunga and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe using similar loopholes

The CIABOC questioned Nirupama’s husband, Thirukumar Nadesan twice as regards the Pandora Papers revelations. Nirupama Rajapaksa first entered Parliament at the 1994 general election on the PA ticket. Nirupama served as deputy minister of water supply and drainage during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa between 2010 and 2015.

Authoritative sources said that the CIABOC handled the investigation, having submitted an interim report to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as requested. Sources said that the CIABOC hadn’t been able to record Nirupama Rajapaksa’s statement before compiling the interim report for President Rajapaksa’s perusal.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has written to the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka calling for the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities of Former Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa. The request was made under the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law (1975) and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities (Amendment) law (1988).

According to the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law (1975), candidates contesting for office in local government, provincial council, Parliament or for the post of President should submit their Declaration of Assets and Liabilities to the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka.

TISL pointed out that the Election Commission has expressed concerns over campaign expenditure. Similarly, it should be concerned about failure on the part of many lawmakers to declare their assets and liabilities.

The law further states that Members of Parliament should submit their Declarations of Assets and Liabilities to the Speaker of Parliament while Ministers and Deputy Ministers should submit their asset declarations to the President.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central 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 in the above table and it 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.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.