19 March, 2024

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Exclusive: How Ranil Squashed 2015 Currency Smuggling Allegations Against Gota’s Son

Shortly after the Yahapalanaya government was formed in 2015, the process of investigating Rajapaksa-era corruption and financial crimes was kicked into high gear for the public to see. The police set up a new division, the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID). The government began an Anti-Corruption Committee and international assistance was sought to go after known crimes.

Manoj Rajapaksa at the launch of Gota’s War in Colombo in 2012

As a part of these efforts, high-level delegations of American law enforcement officials regularly came to Sri Lanka to assist local police and provide information to help bring corrupt officials to justice. At one such meeting held at Temple Trees in late 2015, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chief of Staff and then Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka hosted a delegation of American officials to thank them for their assistance to Sri Lanka.

At this meeting, Colombo Telegraph can reveal that a US law enforcement official suggested to Wickremesinghe and Ratnayaka that while getting evidence on cases that involved foreign jurisdictions such as the US would take time, that the government could instead make use of intelligence from America to charge people for crimes committed in Sri Lanka.

As an example, the official provided a file with customs declarations filed in California by Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s son Daminda Manoj Rajapaksa during the previous regime. These forms, known as Reports on International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (CMIR) or FinCEN Form 105, are used to declare when someone is bringing cash into America in a sum of over $10,000.

The documents showed to Wickremesinghe showed that Daminda Manoj Rajapaksa had on several occasions between July 2012 and August 2014, travelled to the US from Sri Lanka, and brought with him up exactly US $20,000 in cash in American hundred-dollar bills. Over six trips, the younger Rajapaksa had taken US $120,000 or Rs. 15.6 million in cash out of Sri Lanka and into his home country of America.

Reliable sources told Colombo Telegraph that after looking at the documents, the Prime Minister asked the Americans whether they had information about the source of the funds in Sri Lanka, to which they said no. The customs forms, they explained, did not require the person making the declaration to state the source of funds. The officials suggested that it was likely he had not declared the cash when exporting it from Sri Lanka, which is an offence under Sri Lankan law.

Section 27 of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act requires any person entering or leaving Sri Lanka with more than $10,000 in currency or similar instruments to declare the cash to a customs officer. Failure to declare, or making a false declaration, for each instance, carries a one-year prison sentence. If the money was laundered, that prison sentence could go up to twenty years.

The Americans suggested that the information they provided be used to check whether or not Manoj Rajapaksa had made customs declarations in Sri Lanka, and thereafter that the FCID or the Central Bank Financial Intelligence Unit use the information to investigate the source of funds in Sri Lanka. The Americans offered to lend assistance, if necessary, through their anti-kleptocracy unit.

Wickremesinghe and Ratnayaka thanked the Americans for the information and said they would pass it on to the relevant officials at once. However, the matter ended there. Today, almost four years later, the FCID, CID, Central Bank FIU or customs have not been given the documents shared with Wickremesinghe by the Americans. Unlike similar intelligence reports from reliable sources, the information was not passed down to the Anti-Corruption Committee either.

Colombo Telegraph can confirm that none of these agencies received this information, and up to now investigations have taken place in Sri Lanka into the possible outward money laundering by the son of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The file with the damning evidence provided by the Americans is presumed to still be safely tucked away at Temple Trees collecting dust to this day, for reasons best known to the Prime Minister and his Chief of Staff.

A sample of the US Government Reports on International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (CMIR) or FinCEN Form:

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Latest comments

  • 65
    1

    Oh good, business as usual in Sri Lanka. I was starting to worry that Mr Clean actually was clean.

    • 53
      2

      US puppet, Bondscam Ranil and US citizen, white van Gota should be banned from contesting elections and jailed.

      Sri Lanka belongs to the younger generation and the time has come to hand over to the youth and young people and ban the current, corrupt and doddering generation of politicians.
      All those over the age of 60 with allegations of corruption against hem should be banned from contesting.

      • 10
        20

        Where did this story come from? How come after promoting corruption in the name of reconciliation in the Cesspit Parliament, with US officials and fake advisors like Prasad Kariaywasam who promoted bi-partisan UNP-SLFP corruption suddenly this story comes out?!
        The US project to use US puppets Ranil and Rajapaksa has been ongoing over the past 10 years, while US Octopus that is strangling Sri Lanka with its ACSA, SOFA, MCC, Easter bombing, Bell Eco fake oil prospecting in Trincomalee after turning a blind eye to the bond scam and not calling for any accountability or reduction in corruption.

        MCC which claims to work for good governance free of corruption has pushed many shady projects to land grab and advised US puppet bondscam Ranil on how to undermine Provincial Councils so that US military bases may be set up after land grabbing and by-passing Provincial Councils control on land alienation.
        So now the US wants to pretend that it is very concerned about corruption, after using fake AID to spread corruption all these years, all of a sudden?!! What is the source of this tale or is it fake news that the Peace Co. cooked up?!
        Strange indeed!

        • 5
          0

          Hell has no fury like a cabinet colleague scorned. That is why you must keep your relations with fellow cabinet members strictly professional, especially if you’re up to no good. Otherwise a spurned colleague will spill the beans – like what’s happening currently. And there’s much more to come !

      • 2
        1

        Bring Naga .every body should rallyround Naga to recover the robbed money fromSrilanka

    • 25
      3

      Ranil W,

      Oh Para, Para

      Oh Hora, Hora

      Okkoma Para Horu

      All are Para-Bandits.

      So, you want to run as President against Gota?

      Paras to select a Para-Hora?

    • 3
      0

      Sir,
      Sicilian Mafia are no match to their counterparts in SL. God Father Ranil W is not just a US lackey. He is a double-agent with access to US intelligence. In his eyes, this is one of those ‘Our Things’ aka ‘Cosa Nostra’. Usually among Sri Lankan crime families under silent non-agression agreements. Often by kicking grave criminality under the carpet, appointing fake commissions, choking investigations or by hoodwinking the stupid Sri Lankan electorate. American law enforcement has business meddling in a system that works so well for SL Mafiosi.
      Cheers!
      PS: Sagala R from Colombo 7 is a Royal College and California educated ‘Consigliere’. An adviser to the Mafia family leader in Colombo. Often resolving disputes between crime families. Even harbouring criminals, on the run from arrest, at his ‘Law and Order Residence’.

  • 47
    1

    Ranil and his samanala gang including Sagala had DEALS with Rajapaksas and all this was a Boru-Show to fool the masses.

    Sri Lanka should have got Billions in USD from Rajapaksas and their criminal cohorts and we lost an opportunity with Ranil hamu and his Royal Samanala gang.

    • 34
      8

      Nadeeka Abeyrathne

      The cash was earlier stolen from VP’s Fort Knox by Gota’s Goons and shared among the them. The cash and gold belonged to the people of North East.
      Or was it part of bribe (fees) paid to VP in 2005 to rig the elections in the North East by the Clan?

      • 0
        2

        Native Vedda,
        From US standards, $ 120,000 is not a big amount. But, the ussue is how US currency in $ 100 bills got into GoRa’s hand. It certainly smells an illegal deal with a foreign source. It also adds to the suspicion that most of GoRa’s US wealth originated here in SL via corrupt deals with foreign sources probably from Ukraine & China – NYT artcle also provide an example. If the Mig deal is also a part of it, those 1200 $ 100 bills are also stained with blood.

        • 1
          0

          D.P

          i thought you can go to any foreign exchange dealer or bank and give sri lankan rupees and get foreign currency.As you rightly pointed out this is not big money.

          • 0
            2

            shanker,
            You are misinterpreting my words. When I said it is not a big amount, I clearly said that it is to US standard. But, it still leave the question of the source of money b’cos GoRa didn’t have any other source of income other than the job wich paid about RS 60 k monthly which is nothing. Also, it was not declared at the cutom. Therefore, the question of the source is still valid. The only way GoRa can be cleared from corruption charges is by distancing from son’s actvities as he did when the fake documents on his citizenship came out!

            This is a very corrupt family. Everybody in the family reaped the bonanza of having power. BaRa buying property; GoRa himself from deals like Mig & Avent Guarde; NaRa from commissions from various foreign contractors; etc., etc. Only the blind faith of voters even more blinded by equally corrupt media (Derana, Hiru etc) is saving them.

            • 0
              0

              DP

              “Also, it was not declared at the cutom.”

              how do you know that?why is he declaring it at the US customs and not at the sri lankan one.he has made 6 trips taking 20000 USD each time in order not to raise too many questions from sri lanka customs by taking one amount of 120000USD.

              • 0
                2

                shankar,
                You are asking me how I came to know that he was cheating SL custom. Well, b’cos TC says so. You yourself is admitting to the possible effort to cheat SL custom. Besides, why worry at the custom when the family had the power? We don’t whether he was allowed to use VIP privileges either!

                Thinking about making 6 trips to smuggle $ 120,000? It sounds very strange b’cos nothing much is left after a two-way fares. Was he smuggling even more and declared only the least amount at US customs?

    • 27
      0

      RW can be dealt with now for aiding and abetting a crime under the Penal Code since he failed to report a crime. UNP EX-Co why not issue a show cause letter to your leader?

  • 40
    0

    This 20K X 6 for junior Gota will be for his pocket money.
    just imagine how much this old GOAT may have got from the rogue Mig Deal ? confiscated Gold from LTTE and Northerners in hundreds of Kilograms ?
    Many corrupt deals as the Sec of Urban Authotiry like selling the land used to be former Army HQ to Shangri-La hotels ?

    We are talking about USD60-100 million on known cases and junior GOAT will be having a life in the LaLa land with Hollywood celebrities to mingle with that kind of rogue money.

    Poor Sri Lankan folks still survive with 1 or 2 meals a day in most parts of the country.

    • 24
      0

      Once GR is in power would the land belonging to Colombo university, Museum, CGR and other Govt institutes get acquired by UDA run by henchmen and sold like what happened to Army HQ. I hear that is what is planned.

      Does anyone know how people like BR , GR obtained their Greencard? Is it by winning the lottery (remote chance for both to win) or investing Million of US dollar in US businesses. Certainly not through employer as either of them don’t have necessary skills to obtain under skilled worker category.

      One thing is certain as soon as GR comes to power his henchmen in the Stock market will pump to increase the stock prices transferring robbed money currently held by relatives (Ex. Former US ambassador) and close associates.

    • 25
      1

      And, the monies from secret LTTE bank accounts abroad and sale of 21 LTTE ships, locations of which were divulged to Gotabaya by LTTE financier KP, transported from Thailand by a team sent by Gotabaya.

      • 14
        0

        Justice, These robbers at the top just circulate between the votes and sometimes falsify votes likely this time too as they desperately need to cover up murders.. So they don’t care what happens to the masses they hoodwink, but keep on robbing anything in sight, and the same power hungry manipulate. This may be the last election for SL. So sad to see gullible villages paying pooja. Bankrupt intellectuals in deep state. All till last breath only.

        • 0
          0

          Put JVP in power to get some relief and save the country from wrong doers. After all a similar party in China is not directly running the economy but allowing the entrepreneurs with the right experience to develop the country, that one day will be the most economically rich country in the world.

        • 0
          2

          Citizen ,

          This is what a mean IQ of 79? Does to a populace.

          The crooks keep taking for rides, repeatedly.

    • 0
      0

      Worrisome if true. :'(

  • 18
    0

    Horu aelluwe nae. When will this dream come true.

  • 2
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 1
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 15
    0

    Why cannot he be charged now?

    • 1
      0

      Remember Bond Scam

    • 1
      0

      Jehan!
      Please note that in Srilanka’s past and present politicians families are exempted from all laws relating to any crimes committed by them.

  • 13
    0

    why does sajith no t use this info against ranil
    in the upcoming battle
    ranil and sagala are gotas moles in the unp camp

    • 3
      0

      Becos Sajith does not have the docs. Someone must move the American Border Patrol to give another set of dox to match his exits from Sri Lanka.

    • 1
      0

      Do not expect Sajith to be honest. Up to now, he has failed to declare his assets. People should not vote any of these crooks in the next election.

  • 17
    0

    A rogue pretending to be an icon of honesty, and seeking divine blessings from ‘Gods’ in India, assisting a butcher’s son in financial crime !!

    All or most of the politicians now appear to be rogues.
    So, this is one of the ways in which the peoples’ wealth was siphoned away.

    Will charges be framed even this late??
    If not, why?

  • 17
    1

    First rogue to be hanged is Sevalaya Ranil. So Manoj, Mahen, Maha Ravi, all lavishly plundered the country. Mr. Unclean helped all for a cup shot.

  • 0
    0

    Becos Sajith does not have the docs. Someone must move the American Border Patrol to give another set of dox to match his exits from Sri Lanka.

  • 3
    7

    As you say each individual is able to carry US 10 k. Could it be that both Gotabhaya’s son and wife carried US 10 k each- which is legal. Without seeing the actual filled in form, how can you accuse someone?
    I thought you were independent but with this kind of allegations I wonder what you stand for.

  • 10
    0

    So what about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    When we wake up in the morning and till we get back to bed its all about corruption, corruption and corruption. What is the purpose in making all this public. ?????????????????????????
    We as country and a nation of people have been governed, is being governed and will be governed by corrupt leaders and officials.
    One cannot blame the tuk tuk drivers, bus conductors, police and public servants from being corrupt as they have the right to be corrupt. If the leaders are corrupt why not them.
    Ranil Wickremasinghe is a stinking, selfish, ugly, Satan worshiping man who will go to any lengths to be in power until his dying day unless the bastard is removed from power by brute force.
    God only knows why the UNP party hierarchy are cowering before this gay bugger without kicking him out unless he has the full force of Satan ( no doubts about it ) behind him.
    Unless and until Ranil is done away with Sri Lanka will very soon be like a stinking Cesspit overflowing with corrupt maggots.
    Please ” God ” help us all . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Over to you CT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • 1
      0

      Putrid RW, nothing less. The cause of chaos, corruption and fancy work in SL over the last 20 years,

  • 5
    1

    What about Ranil’s assistance to Ravi Karunayke?

    Soma

    • 9
      3

      somass

      “What about Ranil’s assistance to Ravi Karunayke?”

      Did Ranil help Ravi to carry sacks full of cash to USA on behalf of Gota the American killer?

      • 1
        0

        I had thought that Ravi is indefensible. Here comes Native Vedda.

        Soma

        • 1
          1

          soman
          .
          I too thought the entire political system and the human components within it are indefensible, including past and present aspiring crooks, war criminals, racists, psychopaths, ……………. .

  • 14
    1

    I hope Ranil will read these comments and withdraw from the Presidential race. All those who vote for this rogue are stupid fools. He is corrupt, utterly dishonest and has no shame at all. Ranil, MR, and GR all belong to the group of most corrupt politicians of this country. One day he should be punished for this horrendous crime.

  • 8
    0

    Corruption allegations of politicians is no longer sensational news in SL unlike in other countries. When new allegations come up, we forget the older allegations, & some like, Mervin Silva, relatively small fry as they maybe, are no longer in the radar. We have short memories (or live in denial), so much so, that aspiring Presidential hopefuls shamelessly canvass for votes without any attempt to refute the allegations against them. Voters have no choice but to select from the list of known corrupt politicians, which is why I will support anyone who would pledge to incarcerate all corrupt politicians & their cronies that have been sucking the blood of the country. Accordingly, Nagananda Kodithuwakku is a breath of fresh air but his chances are obviously very slim without an unlimited budget & a professional campaign to convey his message to the average man on the street. Then again, when it comes to voting, we generally vote with our hearts & not our heads.

  • 1
    12

    It is clear that this is a fabricated story to sling mud. This paper should maintain its integrity and publish only what can be believed.

  • 1
    2

    Holy crap………….
    Why do we have to spew venom against these corrupt, let Karma take control of it.
    Every action has an equal and an opposite reaction.
    Lets move on in our lives as there is a lot we have missed out owing to bad blood.

    • 4
      1

      Thondamany

      “Why do we have to spew venom against these corrupt, let Karma take control of it.
      Every action has an equal and an opposite reaction.”

      Truly illuminating.
      Let’s leave every aspect of our life to meddling Karma and expunge all state institutions, hospitals, schools, courts, police, security forces, prisons, parliament, constitution, chapter II, the offices of ministers, presidents, …. ………………

      Why waste

      • 0
        0

        Karma is the greatest fraud fed to idiotic Buddhists!

  • 11
    0

    That Ravi Vidyalankara fellow(later found out he was in GR’s payroll) and his wife were travelling all over the globe in Business class , specially in USA on Govt. account to catch the thieves at the beginning of yahapalanaya. He was interviewing many in Los Angeles and found out GR’s son and daughter in law were living in a luxury house, using a chauffeur driven luxury car and having a domestic help, every expense was funded by the Sri Lanka Govt. (our poor people). These are really true facts. LA Consul General Malraj was covering all these corruption at that time. To be fair by Malraj, he didn’t steal any money from our poor country. Then Vidyalankara was bought by the Rajapakse clan. Story goes Vidyalankara bought a luxury apartment for his son with that money. See below. https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sirisena-ousts-fcid-boss-sdig-dogged-by-corruption-scandal/
    Our only hope a third force, at this point is NPP candidate AKD.

    • 2
      0

      Yes AKD seems to be the only hope for SL.

  • 15
    1

    Mahinda’s sons good fortune is said to be from a mysterious Manik Malle, and Gota’s sons seems to be from a mysterious Salle Malle.
    Idiots still believe these stupid stories and vote them into office. They make fortune for generations, use the influence of the office and obtain citizenship in foreign land and settle their families while looting the country dry.

  • 7
    0

    Shanthilal, yes declaring the money when travelling is legal. But every time carrying the amount not exceeding maximum, will automatically trigger an alert. US authorities then look for a pattern and if detected they will further investigate. There is already a case where a senator kept withdrawing money from his own account , trying to avoid alerting officials by not withdrawing in excess, and transferring to different accounts. Upon investigation they found the money was paid as ransom to affected party, where the senator has abused a young girl many years ago, and now being threatened of public exposure and ruining his political career. To prevent disclosing information he agreed to pay large sum , but in such small transactions, so to avoid alerting officials. US authorities are well aware of these scams . The senator not only resigned but is now serving time. In Lanka politicians have immunity but not the common man. Why do you think GR is standing for election ??? not because he has some vision , but to get immunity for the severe crimes committed such as abduction and murder.

  • 11
    1

    Ranil has to go, he is a White Collar Criminal.

  • 8
    1

    SC today rejected Gotas petition, to prevent hearing on Rajapaksa Museum case where 34 million of public money was siphoned by Rajapaksas . The case will be taken up on daily basis from October 15 th. But now from what we ar told, as long RW is around nothing may come out of it. Also if Sajith is elected as candidate, just to spite him RW may shut down all the cases against Gota. That is Lankan Politics.

  • 8
    0

    SC today rejected Gotas petition, to prevent hearing on Rajapaksa Museum case where 34 million of public money was siphoned by Rajapaksas . The case will be taken up on daily basis from October 15 th. But now from what we ar told, as long RW is around nothing may come out of it. Also if Sajith is elected as candidate, just to spite him RW may shut down all the cases against Gota. That is Lankan Politics. Also Gotas left hand and international arms dealer Senadhipathi and 12 others are today indicted on more than 7500 counts (must be a record) in Avant Garde illegal arms smuggling case. In Lanka 7500 may be not be adequate to see these criminals imprisoned.

    • 0
      0

      Chiv,

      Avant Guard was doing the gun running for the Americans supplying arms to Boko Haram, Somali Pirates and the rest of the Terrorists. Otherwise do you believe the Americans would have kept quiet without probing when Avant Guard got exposed? There are wheels within wheels.

  • 6
    1

    Oh!Well Dear Patriots!Our Island is repeating her history after nearly 575 years. Here we got Don Juan Dharmapala, Buwenagabahu and Mayatunne on stage. Mayadunne’s efforts will be defeated and the formers will handover ApeRata this time to America,China and India. All the True Citizens and their Horsers wouldn’t be able save the Paradise! Oh Mercy Almighty, unto you our fiture!

  • 1
    0

    Ranil is a bloody joke. I am ashamed for supporting him in 2015.

  • 0
    2

    Sounds like the reporter was in the meeting with RW, Sagala and the American officers. There should be a limit to FAKE news. This sort of fake stories has no value to the people of Sri Lanka. They understand this is only part of propaganda against Mr. Rajapakse.

  • 0
    0

    Mudslinging on YAHAPALANA ????

    CLEAN ! CLEANER !! AND CLEANEST !!! LAUNDERING JOB EVER IN THE HISTORY !

  • 0
    1

    At this meeting, Colombo Telegraph can reveal that a US law enforcement official suggested to Wickremesinghe and Ratnayaka that while getting evidence on cases that involved foreign jurisdictions such as the US would take time, that the government could instead make use of intelligence from America to charge people for crimes committed in Sri Lanka.
    Americans were evading saying it will be too long, so Lankawe to depend on US intelligence report. I didn’t know if that time Lankawe had an info exchange pact like that with US. But here US was willing to act without a pact. Here American agents were trying to avoid applying US law, but get Lankawe to go on its ways.

    This may indicate that Americans have a file on Old Brother Prince‘s family, as a whole. That time probably the young chaps didn’t think of bringing in $120,000. American did know that withdrawal was illegal in Lankawe, but on the surface, a bogus- legal (Declared) in US. Readers may remember New York Governor Eliot Spitzer withdraw 5 time $5,000 to pay for a high priced girl and lost his job. FBI demanded he resign or they would sue him for money laundering frauds. Money laundering cases have many dimensions. If one end slips FBI and IRS come by the other end. Once got in that, basically no escape. A US citizen having more than $50,000 in foreign bank has to inform IRS the fact. If that country doesn’t have tax pacts with IRS, the taxpayer has to account the $50,000 income and pay tax on that. Any capital gain + interest or dividends tax must be paid. If the money goes in as cash, FBI would like to watch how it was spent. It cannot remain as black; IRS will check how it is being made white. So, American part is not yet over. But if they are not acting we don’t what is behind that.

    • 0
      1

      If they were planning to deposit in bank and spend it, they might have taken as a check. So we cannot comment on if the spending was white or black. If the spending was on capital assets, most of them have to be informed to IRS. if they had spend on consumer goods, they may escape. But any spending like New York Governor will invite trouble from other angles too.

  • 0
    0

    What a mess!!

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