America’s wanted Sri Lankan Rienzie Edwards, alleged ringleader, swindler and money launderer is a close friend of both speaker Karu Jayasuriya and his son in law Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake Colombo Telegraph can reveal today.
The 55 year old Edwards was on the 12th of December 2016 indicted by a Washington court along with five other accomplices on charges of swindling investors to the tune of over US $ 50 million.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a close associate of Edwards, was earlier seen chaperoning the now accused US swindler, when an Indian Spiritual Guru visited the island nation. This was besides him being the chief guest on several occasions along with his Ministerial son in law, at the Royal Turf Club Nuwara Eliya horse races organized and conducted by Edwards.
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment: From at least June 2013 through August 2016, Rienzi Edwards, Michael Jacobs, Ruby Handler-Jacobs, F.K. Ho, Lawrence Lester and Rachel Gendreau orchestrated and executed a fraudulent high-yield investment programme known as the “Cities Upliftment Programme,” or CUP, which the defendants falsely told investors was operated by the New York Fed. The scheme was principally designed and operated by Edwards, with the assistance of Jacobs and Handler-Jacobs, and was marketed to investors around the world through brokers, including Ho, Lester, and Gendreau.” The statement also said that, Michael Jacobs, Handler-Jacobs, Lester and Gendreau were arrested by the US law enforcement authorities. It also said that Edwards and Ho are currently at large.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. Arraignment is scheduled for December 20, 2016, in federal court in Manhattan. “Edwards, 55, of Sri Lanka, Jacobs, 64, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Handler-Jacobs, 64, of Albuquerque, New Mexico are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conducting monetary transactions in unlawful funds, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to impersonate employees of the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of five years; one count of impersonating employees of the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of three years; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.”
However claiming his innocence in an interview over the telephone, Edwards had told Sunday Times Business Online that he was unaware of these charges, as he had not been contacted by any US authoritative government body to date. He had also claimed that he did not know any of the others accused in this case.
Meanwhile a commentator by the name of Michael Protiva using an electronic media forum had stated that two of his accomplices Michael Jacobs and his wife Ruby Handler – Jacobs had visited Rienzie Edwards and stayed for a period of one month as his guests in Sri Lanka two years ago.
Rienzie Edwards broke into the Sri Lankan business scene a couple of years ago and soon started purchasing properties such as Asha Hospital and a range of boutique hotels which he named Edwards Collection. However the tycoon and his wife Purni Edwards were soon hauled in by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department and investigated under the prevention of the money laundering act 5 of 2006 and its provisions. They were summoned, grilled, passports impounded and a case filed at the Chief Magistrates Court in Colombo bearing case number B34119/01/15. The presiding judge Gehan Pilapitiya ordered the case file to be sent to the Attorney General’s Department pending his opinion to proceed.
In his interview with Sunday Times, Edwards also claimed that his FCID case in Sri Lanka had been withdrawn in the Magistrate’s Court in December 2015.
However it is still to be established if according to Edwards’ claim, top rung Ministerial and government support was used to muscle his way through and have his FCID case withdrawn.
Rienzie Edwards in early 2015 got involved in reviving horse racing in Sri Lanka and with the help of the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s son in law and the then Minister of Sports Navin Disanayake formed the Royal Turf Club. The Minister of Sports Dissanayake then solicited a deal and offered the rental of the prestigious 64 hectares race course in Nuwara Eliya and its stables through the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority for a paltry sum of Rs 110,000 per month.
Minister Navin Dissanayake was recently photographed traveling to Kyoto along with Rienzie Edwards and Royal Turf Club officials to witness the horse races in Japan.
It was also earlier reported that the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s son in law and Minister Navin Dissanayake along with the current Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara were also blatantly violating laws of the country to support Rienzie Edwards’ horse racing project. What is alarming is that horse racing is not a sport nor a discipline that even comes under the Ministry of Sports in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile a close associate of Rienzie Edwards’ contacted Colombo Telegraph yesterday and requested the published article “Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Event Fetes Man Charged With Corruption” published on the 9th of December 2016 to be removed from its website. The caller also begged Colombo Telegraph not to publish any stories pertaining to the current case filed in the US against Rienzie Edwards.
Earlier in October 2011, Raj Rajaratnam, a Sri Lankan-American, the founder of the Galleon Group and former hedge fund manager and billionaire was found guilty on all 14 counts of conspiracy and securities fraud in US court and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was also fined over $150 million. (By Janaka Ranawera )
burusatha / December 19, 2016
What is the purpose of this article CT? Do you have any evidence of any financial wrongdoing by Navin Dissanayake and Karu Jayasuriya in regards to this guy?
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punchinilame / December 19, 2016
The high connection means big business and deals? Sunday Times had this piece sometime
ago and may be relevant to guage the kind of business Mr. R. Edwards is allaged to be
involved:
“* Colombo Asha Central hospital spending US dollars 250 million
* Thalpe Frangipani Tree hotel spending US dollars 3 million
* Thembili house hotel Galle , for Rs. 1.2 million.
* Balapitiya White Villa hotel for US dollars 1.5 million dollars
* Kandy Mansion hotel for Us dollars 3.5 million
* Two properties in Colombo 07 belonging to famous architect Jeffrey Bawa for US dollars 2.8 million.
* In addition he purchased Ahangama Maruyana Hotel , and Nuwara eliya Villa Rice hotel , whose prices are not known.
* In Kandy , Sigiriya and Trincomalee too he purchased properties paying US dollars 10 million approximately. These purchases are still being investigated .
* In India too at Jaipur he purchased properties spending US dollars 5 million.
It is incredible but true , although Edward Rienzie bought all these properties , there is no source of origin for this prodigious wealth . What is even more incredible and shocking than the mysterious Rienzie is the colossal wealth of the R……–ses . It is this huge wealth illegally amassed by the R———-ses that have been utilized by Rienzie to make these massive purchases. In other words Rienzie was the channel for the money laundering activities of the R——–ses.
Then came the sudden change . Rienzie after spending in millions of dollars extravagantly , and purchasing properties with gay abandon , all these expenditures halted suddenly and strangely after 9 th January 2015. Rienzie had brought in these colossal sums of dollars form Dubai , Singapore , and countries considered as international marketing headquarters. In addition he had got down remittances from Islands such as Lebuan and St. Kist . Countries like Lebuan and St. Kist are new markets noted for money laundering….”
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Mallaiyuran / December 19, 2016
It looks like Karu should have been the CC in the January 2015 election instead of Rice Muthalai.
Well Karu missed it.
May be Next time! 2020
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jim softy / December 20, 2016
Is this the Minister who said, that $ 60 million that the ministry earned should be in his safe and he wants to spend it. If the Treasury takes it he would resign.
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Rabok / December 19, 2016
Ranil had started cleaning the house – anybody with different opinion other than his own opinion will be shown the way out –
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boot / December 19, 2016
IMF chief who had a 2nd term because she was woman – has been convicted of financial irregularities.- all school teachers children and obamas lgbt is getting the works.
ranil will have to look elsewhere for money .
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max / December 19, 2016
CT, you are naughty. Why do you upset yahapalana henchaiyas by revealing the true color of this so called “Mr. Cleans”?
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Native Vedda / December 19, 2016
max moron
“CT, you are naughty. Why do you upset yahapalana henchaiyas by revealing the true color of this so called “Mr. Cleans”?”
This is an attempt by CT to make you happy.
You should be grateful to CT.
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Fahim Knight / December 19, 2016
Ringleader Rienzie Edwards Is Karu’s And Navin’s Chum,
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So was Lucifer to god almighty , does that implicate God his majesty too to be as evil Lucifer ?
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This is where although Muslims do not practice the Islamic Law , in true Islam the innocent’s identity is always protected ,I am sure it must be the same with all faiths too.
But man by nature is animal , blood thirsty always, most of them have no compassion or sense of justice in them, for them ,it is like Hitler ,one jew may have offended him, so 6 million must die.
so for the crime of Rienzie Edwards ,every single person he had known in his life and of-cause including own family must be penalized right?
This where to-much of freedom even in media is poison if not checked, can one imagine the harm and hurt you could do to so many innocent people who are penalized just because they were only connected to the criminal or related .
What kind of justice is this ? is this in anyway civilized ?
very disappointing .
something very fishy of the two men under attack, Dissnayake and Karu , smells like a strong conspiracy boiling to demonize him from becoming the next Party ;leader which he deserves and will do well .
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Frank Moodi / December 19, 2016
Hi an indictment is only an accusation where as this article makes it look like a conviction. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty at a Trial in a court of law.
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boot / December 19, 2016
You know very little of the western world Where judges fear to pass a fine or jail.
This involves all 3rd world nations. WILL DR RAGHU R BE NOW APPOINTED IMF CHIEF?
New York Times.
PARIS — Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was found guilty on Monday of criminal charges linked to the misuse of public funds during her time as France’s finance minister, a verdict that could force her out of her post.
The judge hearing the case declined, however, to impose a fine or any jail time on Ms. Lagarde, who began her second five-year term at the I.M.F. in February. The scandal has overshadowed her work at the fund, to which she was appointed in 2011, after Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned as managing director when he was accused of having sexually assaulted a maid in a New York City hotel.
The move is quite likely to destabilize the I.M.F. as it faces a host of thorny issues, including questions over its participation in a multibillion-dollar bailout for Greece and uncertainty about the United States’ role in the organization once Donald J. Trump becomes president in January.
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Mohan / December 19, 2016
All the people in these pictures look so genuine especialy being associated with His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar.
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Aahliya / December 19, 2016
Someone spending time with their friends is a private matter. How does it become a matter of public interest?
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sekara / December 19, 2016
What is Sri Sri…Sri Ravishankar doing there?
Not long ago he hit the headlines about an environmentally disastrous event for which the Modi-raj gave its blessings. See:
http://qz.com/760062/an-indian-gurus-gala-has-ruined-a-river-but-what-rankles-more-is-his-arrogant-denial/
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K.Pillai / December 19, 2016
Thanks. Wondered who the hell the Godman was!
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Uthungan / December 20, 2016
Sri Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a God Man and he will be everywhere.
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Panduka / December 19, 2016
Have edwards and his pals been convicted?If not i dont understand what the big deal is because an indictment is only an accusation. Often set aside by courts of law.
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srinath gunaratne / December 20, 2016
Yes US attorney department is stuoid like Sri Lanka, They also has fxxxcid, and they go on filing law suites like in Sri Lanka.
US need Mai three paala to bring haya pala ey is US of a.
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maalumiris / December 21, 2016
Cant seem find any news about this Washington $50M indictment on any website except CT..
Anyone else have any luck ?
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Frank / December 19, 2016
If all what the authorities are saying is true what were they doing until somone stole USD 50 Million.Sounds dodgy to me.
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Dcn / December 19, 2016
Again this is an article with an incorrect heading. Many people visit to meet the Speaker, K J in his official capacity, some of them could be “Good, Bad and/or Ugly”. Just because the Speaker was photographed with Edward, it does not mean
He is involved in any of the purported wrongdoings by Edwards in USA.
I believe CT has to be fair in their reporting and using captions to their articles which leads to a very poor meaning to individuals.
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Panduka / December 19, 2016
Judging by news reports if someone believed they can get 150 dollars by investing 1 dollar they must be idiots. I dont think such fools exist. So this whole story is doubtful.
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Nuwara Eliya / December 19, 2016
We are all shocked to see this.We can never forget what you have done for the Racecourse and for the people of Nuwara Eliya.We hope all these accusations go away soon.We dont care whether you are Guilty or Innocent we are all from Nuwaraeliya behind you sir. we all make puja in our seetha amman kovil from today untill your name clear from all accusations
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Keith / December 19, 2016
Uvidu…you sob this is nothing but third grade journalism… what is the wrongdoingher??
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Edward Snowden Asange / December 20, 2016
Interesting ur comment slipped through the net…specially after calling him a SOB….lol pretty soon it will be deleted or he will fire the admin…
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Hemamali perera / December 19, 2016
It is very unfortunate to see these kinds of articles. But encouraging to note the intelligent comments.. Is this the calibre of Colombo telegraph??? Shameful..
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gamini / December 19, 2016
There was an article about Rienzie Edawards in the Sunday Leader where it was stated that he was an Accountant working with Ravi Karunanayake also an Accountant at Rorten Wander Shippng. Thereafter he shifted to the UK where he canvassed business for Trust Funds for investment in third world countries. He mingled with the high profile in society including Politicians like MR and sported that he was a Millionaire Businessman. I am not surprised that he has made use of Karu and Navin for his own ulterior ends. A shady character indeed.
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Nuwara Eliya / December 19, 2016
We are all shocked to see this.We can never forget what you have done for the Racecourse and for the people of Nuwara Eliya. We hope all these accusations go away soon.We dont care whether you are Guilty or Innocent we are all from Nuwaraeliya behind you sir.we all make puja in our seetha amman kovil from today untill your name clear from all accusations
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Mohan Ekanayake / December 19, 2016
No point even talk about them. Karu and Navin they are most cleaner politicians in this country.
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Nimal / December 19, 2016
Nuwara Eliya
Just because he has done good for Nuwara Eliya doesn’t mean he is a honest person, depending how he earned that money.Everyone have to follow rules.
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Nimal / December 19, 2016
I can assure you, it’s not easy to make honest money and honesty is the best policy as the motto of the scouts say.
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LANKANIDIOT / December 19, 2016
Please do not just accuse people like KARU and Navin
KARU has had a clean record from his business days
and the time he served as Mayor of Colombo.
If Edwards visited me and he was photographed with me
does it mean that I am a crook. ? Oh ! Come on !!!
CT, PLEASE OBSERVE THE RULES OF JOURNALISM.
Now you are turning CT to a garbage dump !!!
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Unreal / December 19, 2016
What a fitting name you have chosen for yourself!
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Douglas / December 19, 2016
The name “Raj Rajaratnam” referred to in the last paragraph of this article rings a bell. Was he the person who transferred money, illegally to the present Minister of Finance to buy shares in a Bank. All these CROOKS are “Related” in some form or other and the caravan keeps rolling, until the long arm of Justice strikes.
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srinath gunaratne / December 20, 2016
Long arm of justice in sri lanka is busy wanking.
It does not have time to do justice.
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2016
srinath gunaratnam
“Long arm of justice in sri lanka is busy wanking.”
While watching Tamil Nadu bumps.
“It does not have time to do justice.”
Do you remember when was the last time the long arm of the law did justice to the people?
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2016
Douglas
Raj Rajaratnam is a Sri Lankan-American former hedge fund manager and billionaire founder of the Galleon Group.
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekere is the Raj Rajaratnam watcher, he can tell you more about him than the rest of us.
“All these CROOKS are “Related” in some form or other and the caravan keeps rolling, until the long arm of Justice strikes.”
No doubt they are related to each other, however, I doubt whether the long arm of justice will ever strike, simply because as you say ““Related” in some form or another.
They all sit in a circle and scratch each other’s back. None will be left out if they are part of the loop.
Loop – a structure, series, or process, the end of which is connected to the beginning.
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Plato. / December 19, 2016
LANKANIDIOT.
My take on this article is that CT is not saying that Karu Jayasuriya is a fraud.
Look at Navin Dissanayake,the son of Gamini Dissanyake; Do we need any more evidence for corruption-Mahaweli and do we need any more evidence for racism-Burning of the Jaffna Library!
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2016
Plato.
“Do we need any more evidence for corruption-Mahaweli and do we need any more evidence for racism-Burning of the Jaffna Library!”
Do you think Sinhala/Buddhists politicians would have burnt down the Library?
Retired DIG Edward Gunewardene wrote in his book ‘Memorable tidbits and the burning of the Jaffna library’ that it was the handy work of LTTE, because it was “not an institution to be admired or venerated by non Vellala Tamils. What better target for destruction”
The Rationalist Carlos agreed with him. Therefore I believe you are not telling the truth.
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Upul / December 20, 2016
I see all kinds of supporters and henchas coming out of the cess pits to defend and support their racket masters!
Just for the clueless….An indictment in a US Federal court is NOT A JOKE like in Sri Lankan courts. There, the US Attorneys are not the Yes-men of the government in power, like we have here. An indictment is filed AFTER it is established there is sufficient proof and evidence to bring a case. Invariably, many of the cases are settled before trial because of the overwhelming evidence. In other instances, the defendant chooses to take a chance and either gets away with it, or pays a heavy price. In financial cases, the paper trail or the electronic data ends up sinking the accused. Very soon we shall hear one of the defendants are going sing loudly, to get a lower sentence.
As for who in Sri Lanka is involved- It goes without saying, to be a politician in Sri Lanka, one must forsake any semblance of morals, honesty and dignity. Karu Jayasuriya left all that in the drain a long long time ago. Did you all forget this was the guy who came from nowhere, and wanted to become the UNP leader, when Ranil W was battling all and sundry for leadership of the UNP.? And, all he had going for him was his ‘Buddhist’ file and was hoping he would end being the compromise choice.
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BBS Rep / December 20, 2016
All are hora thakkadiyas. They also need to associate with godmen to help expiate their sins. Why would they want god men or go to Thirupathi like our MR or Ranil unless they are full of sin.
Why would Karu want to rub shoulders with shady characters? Karu is not so clean as what the spin doctors say. Just do some research.
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virgo fernando / December 20, 2016
Well done CT exposing this crook. Looks very much like a money laundering spree on the MARA and families illegal funds. The deal where the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse has been leased at Rs 110,000 per month must be investigated. Stinks to high heaven – also the association with Navin and family must be investigated. This crook buying air tickets and accompanying poiticans smacks of corruption. Navin’s behavior and actions must be closely scritinied. Both sides of the present administration have skeletons in the cupboard which need to be exposed.
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susantha / December 20, 2016
With all this thing I see in Sri Lanka there is no place for a Business man that way this country is like this. See around you can you go on the road its full of traffic, do you have a proper city plane NO, is all the parliament members are educated NO, this is an Agricultural country no one is doing nothing for this in 2020 we have to get all the vegetables and rice from an anther country. Everything we have to get from an anther country. Day by day this country is going to hell.
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zee / December 20, 2016
Karu is an opportunist…not as clean as the clothes he wears…he jumped from UNP to SLFP..n then tucked his tail between his hind legs n go back to UNP…cannot trust the bugger…
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Plato. / December 20, 2016
Native.
Prof:Carlo Fonseka has changed his opinion since then.As for Edward Gunawardena the less said about him the better!
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2016
Plato.
So Prof Carlos Fonseka has changed his mind once again. What a learned Prof he is.
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Harsha / December 20, 2016
The presumption of innocence is a important part of criminal law system.It is the job of prosecutor to prove you are guilty.Therefore Rienzie Edwards or any person, until proven innocent .
This is called media mafiya .We must not take mean advantage of the media freedom. Specially social media like TC. “United Nations press media freedom” …..Governments,politicians, business, and citizens always be independent and free press as essential,but free media should work together for a world of dignity and opportunity for all.
Therefore Editor TC please act accordingly.
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