Nandana Jayadewa Lokuwithana, the Dubai based Sri Lankan businessman, more popularly known as ‘Mariott Lokuwithana’ who is accused of money laundering has received a ‘Jail Free Card’ courtesy his new found friend, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, highly places sources told the Colombo Telegraph.
Nandana Lokuwithana
“As part of the deal, Samarawickrama has assured Lokuwithana that the FCID investigation against him over his money laundering activities has been shelved,” the source said. He noted that this was all part of the ‘package’ promised to Lokuwithana by Samarawickrama.
In January, the Colombo Telegraph reported how Samarawickrama openly flaunted regulations by submitting a paper to the Cabinet Committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wicremesinghe to get Lokuwithana’s land deal for the Horana tyre factory approved.
“This is all part of the package that has been granted by Samarawickrama, who has also given orders to the law enforcement authorities not to pursue Lokuwithana’s money laundering case,” the source pointed out.
Lokuwithana is known as the front man of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and own the Dubai Marriot Hotel, Steel Corporation as well as the controversial tyre factory for which the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in Horana recently.
While in power, it is reported that Rajapaksa had invested heavily on properties in Dubai through Lokuwithana, who reportedly hails from Nattandiya, and was introduced to Rajapaksa by his one-time loyalist, Sajin Vass Gunawardena. Lokuwithana bought the Ceylon Heavy Industries and Construction company (CHICO) (Sri Lanka’s former Ceylon Steel Corporation) for US$ 77 million at the invitation of the Rajapaksa regime. In the Panama Papers, Lokuwithana is connected to one entity by the name of ‘Nilona Fashions’ which was incorporated in December 2000 and is within the jurisdiction of Seychelles, incidentally another hotspot where the Rajapaksa’s are alleged to have hidden their assets.
Related posts:
Malik Samarawickrama Plays Dirty Games: Breaks Rules To Please Henchmen And New Found Friends
Rajapaksa’s Front Man, ‘Mariott’ Lokuwithana Named In Panama Papers
Anonymous / February 7, 2017
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Anonymous / February 7, 2017
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Jagath Fernando / February 7, 2017
By the way he also put in a bid of USD 350 m to buy Holcim cement which was eventually bought by SIAM Cement for USD 370 m
He is looking for ways to legalize his wealth and for sure politicians on both sides will give him opportunities to do it.
This is politics in SL and we voters deserve what we get !!
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Legal Lunumiris / February 8, 2017
We congratulate and wish Mr. Lokuvithana well. It is good to have a Sri Lankan among the Dollar billionaires of the world. Equally, it will be good to know how the hitherto unknown Mr. L accumulated such massive wealth particularly in the speculation that he may be a front of the millions of dollars siphoned off by the Rajapakse family in their nearly ten years of mis-governance.
Legal Lunumiris
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Tamil from the north / February 7, 2017
Jim Shitty boy, did this guy have any Tamil blood?
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Legal Lunumiris / February 7, 2017
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Dude / February 7, 2017
Malik Samarawickrama and Ranil Wickramasinghe should be in jail. Why are the university student protesting SAITM which is legitimate, when they should be protesting much larger issues like Bond Scam, high level corruption and cronyism and Ranil and his circle of thives?!
The university students are a truly pathetic bunch!
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Luis Samson / February 7, 2017
He is also building a mansion at 28 Charles Place Colombo 3 (Colombo House project)
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Towakara / February 7, 2017
How well are you informed regarding this particular project? Also can you site your source of this information.
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malik / February 7, 2017
Dear Native Vedda
Please not the article states clearly ‘Alleged’.. Most of the article is based on Colombo gossip rather than factual investigative journalism.
Now Native Vedda before releasing your tirade of comments remember the facts must be proven in a court of law and journalism published must be thoroughly investigated with proof, as truth is a process.
So what is the latest gossip from your crowd funded holiday?, where did you go men?
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / February 7, 2017
We, srilankans are bloody idiots.
If this guy is money laundering, then bring him to courts, and punish him.
as per the LAW OF COUNTRY.
BUSINESSMEN, THEY DO NOT CARE,AND WILL CATCH ANY GOVERNMENT OR ANY POLOITIKKAS FOR THEIR SELFISH IMPROVMENTS.
let him to start businesses here and prosper, but not to let him to start any opportunities elsewhere.
WHAT if he take his businesses to Vietnam or Indonesia.???????????.
WHO WILL LOSE????????????.
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Amarasiri / February 7, 2017
JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA
“We, srilankans are bloody idiots.”
The data supports it, but fortunately there are quite a few who are not, and can see this idiocy.
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
The intelligence scores came from work carried out earlier this decade by Richard Lynn, a British psychologist, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish political scientist, who analysed IQ studies from 113 countries, and from subsequent work by Jelte Wicherts, a Dutch psychologist.
Rank
——– Country
———————– %
————-
1 Singapore 108
2 South Korea 106
3 Japan 105
4 Italy 102
28 Sri Lanka 79
http://www.photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
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virgo fernando / February 7, 2017
No hope for SL if this is true. This money launderer and Rajapakse proxy should be asked from where he got the money to build the Marriot and acquire other huge assets. Well known that he and Gota are close mates and partners in crime. Come on Ranil, you profess to be Mr Clean but this image of you is being gradually destroyed by the inaction taken by you to bring to book all the Rajapakse family criminals and acolytes. Get rid of those fossilised vermin that are clinging to you to suck the blood of this nation. The Ravis, Maliks Paskas, Kirihoras need to be consigned to the toilet basin if any progress is to be made.
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Annesley Dias / February 7, 2017
The Game Plan is Crystal Clear. Previous Rajapaksa Regime the wheeler dealer was Mr Ten Percent BASIL, Present regime its malik and Dudley I scratch yours and you scratch mine.
FCID Should start investigations beginning with Helping hambantota and finally Bond Scam.
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Ranil W / February 7, 2017
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The Oracle / February 7, 2017
The guy first bought the Steel Corp., and has never looked back . I guess it all boils down to who you know, and how much you are willing to dole out .
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mugalan / February 7, 2017
Even If the cat is made of Clay and if it catches Mice why worry.If he has brought
his illgotton money to our country we should make use of it.
But he should not be given any extra facilities not offered to any other investor. Considering his past actions and his relationship to former regiment extra vigilance is essential
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Words / February 7, 2017
Oh what a tangled Web the yahapalians weave!!!!
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Champa / February 7, 2017
Oh, Wow. All the crooks that Yahapalanaya jokers presented to the masses are being cleared now at the sight of bundles and bundles of dollars as commission? What is Ranil’s share other than what he got from looting the Central Bank?
This government is comprised of worst crooks, rogues, fraudsters than the previous government said to have.
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Upul / February 7, 2017
At this moment the UNP and what is left of the SLFP are doing their best to find money, any money, from those how have and prepare for the next elections cycle. The crooks who prospered under the Rajapakses are being milked dry. Same goes for the bond scam..which repaid election debts etc. Those of you who constantly insult and criticise should try to ask someone who knows. The biggest conglomerates in SL are the biggest money launderers. If Inland Revenue can access their executive floors, they will find safes full of money. Dollars more than rupees.
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yahapalana / February 7, 2017
victor ivon intro the racketeer to malik
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Dot / February 8, 2017
Please be transparent and give us detail how the names of alleged money launderers were cleared before the Government of the day took them within their fold to grant them tenders or accept them as deserving investors . Please keep the stables closed and judge on the credibility of all in this industry playing for high stakes. Make this Good government dream a reality and not like the many other governments of third world where the investors call the tune and the Ministers ridiculed could be ‘bought’ over individuals.Clear your name loud and clear Minister with facts and figures ..and make us think this tribe of politicians are not mere actors as all other Politicians just the lines delivered but the reality is different !
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