News
Pandora papers: 4 more countries begin probes into alleged offshore secret wealth of elites
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Pandora Papers had triggered a flurry of dramatic fallout around the world as current and former leaders in Chile, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, and Ukraine are facing official scrutiny over illegal financial dealings revealed by the Pandora Papers, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) said yesterday.
“In addition, the list of officials from different countries pledging tax probes of those named in the files is growing”, ICIJ said.
“Further to these developments, we are also beginning to see plans for proposed reforms in the U.S. and the EU for shaking off their reputation for playing a central role in how rich people around the world seek to hide and accentuate wealth in their countries,” they noted.
“Our reporting has also had some early impact in the rarified world of precious artifacts: The Denver Art Museum is preparing to return four antiquities to Cambodia following our investigation with the Washington Post and other media partners on an indicted art dealer’s offshore links,” they added.
The government of India said on Oct. 04 that it would investigate cases related to Pandora papers. The official spokesperson of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of India said that the probe would be monitored by a team headed by the chairman of CBDT. Other representatives of the multi-agency group include the Enforcement Directorate, Reserve Bank of India, Financial Intelligence Unit and CBDT.
According to Pakistani media reports, more than 700 people in the country were named in the papers, among them two members of the cabinet.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing a high-level dialogue on ‘Financing for Development’ held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly said that movement of ‘ill-gotten’ money was devastating the developing countries across the world.
“We have been trying our best to retrieve that money”, he said, conceding that even when his government located properties made from illegal money by Pakistanis abroad, it faced a number of legal lacuna and difficulties in trying to bring that money back.
He called upon developed countries to do better as far as the return of illicit wealth was concerned, saying “there is a lack of political will in the rich countries because they gain from it”.
Sri Lanka’s Thirukumar Nadesan and his wife Nirupama Rajapaksa were named in the Pandora papers
According to Pandora papers, the British-educated Nadesan – businessman and trustee of several Sri Lankan Hindu charities and temples had established shell companies and trusts in offshore jurisdictions.
Soon after the exposé, Thirukumar Nadesan had written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring his innocence and requesting an impartial investigation.
Cabinet spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma said on 06 Oct. that the President had asked Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to conduct an investigation and issue a report on the assets of Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan within one month.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Davis cup Asia/Oceania Group IV 2026 to be held in Colombo from 20th to 25th July
Navy brings fisherman in distress off Pothuvil, ashore
Malinga, Asalanka seal Galle Gallants win in LPL opener
Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Dengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features6 days agoPrison riots and politics: NPP’s biggest challenge and Sri Lanka’s biggest opportunity
-
Features3 days agoDirty Money
-
Editorial6 days agoMuch ado about crime: Fish or cut bait
-
Features6 days agoMore on Saudi Arabia: ARAMCO and beyond
-
Sports6 days agoThe banker who rescued Sri Lankan cricket
-
News1 day agoMoney laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
-
Midweek Review3 days agoThe sordid tale of theft and tragedy at Finance Ministry
-
Latest News4 days agoOil prices hit 1-month high as US-Iran attacks dim Strait of Hormuz outlook