Tracing Stolen Hidden Assets of Srilanka by Mahinda Abroad -Sujeeva Senasinghe

In weekly press conference informing cabinet decisions  held on last  Wednesday, State Minister, Sujeeva answered questions raised by journalists.  The government Ministers  always keep on  accusing   that Mahinda has plundered the wealth of Srilanka and hidden it in foreign banks and financial institutions. Government Ministers   in more than one occasion stated that all those stolen  assets will be traced and brought back to Srilanka. Even Anurakumara Dissanayke accused the Government of its’ inaction in this connection. What is the position of tracing stolen assets hidden in foreign countries? asked journalists. In response, Sujeeva said that Anurakumara Dissanayke  has disclosed certain correct facts in this connection but not all are correct.

We know where the stolen assets of Srilanka are hidden. But when we make request  from respective foreign banks to disclose details, they declined to cooperate with us because Srilanka is a small country and their mandate to protect their depositors. That is why the delay. however we sought the assistance of US in this connection. They have their powerful “Stolen Assets Division” which is capable of tracing stolen assets in any country. Minister,  Mangala sought the assistance of John Kerry, US State Secretary during his visit to Srilanka to trace our stolen assets abroad. He acknowledged it. It is being attended. We are hopeful that this will be made available to us. Further, big countries like US  can exercise pressure on foreign countries, where our stolen assets hidden to cooperate with Srilanka Government. This is the current situation, he said.