FBI probes Namal

Nov 24, 2016

The FBI of the US and Sri Lanka’s FCID have joined together to investigate a major fraud committed by MP Namal Rajapaksa during the previous regime, highly placed government sources say.

At the centre of investigation are Namal’s payments to Lobby Groups of the US to promote Sri Lanka’s image. Also included are the payments to the renowned Squire Patton Boggs of the US. With Sri Lanka Central Bank approval, millions of US dollars have been paid into personal accounts, it has now been revealed. The joint investigation also looks into two other Sri Lankans involved. These frauds had been aided by former Sri Lankan ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasooriya, who is presently in remand custody.

The FCID has accused Wickramasooriya of swindling 322,027.35 USD through two persons – 250,000 USD to PP International owned by Sri Lankan Brendon Soza and the balance 82,027.35 USD to Paper Crown LLC owned by Sri Lankan-born American Vinod Basnayake. Basnayake has been identified as Namal’s accomplice. Wickramasooriya is accused over a sum of around 300,000 USD, but Namal and Vinod are to face charges of swindling millions of USD. Also, Wickramasooriya’s brother, Maj. Prasanna Wickramasooriya had been chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority during the previous regime, and he has now fled his residence at Atlanta, US and is living in hiding at Seattle, investigators have revealed.