Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi, son of President’s secretary Kusumsiri Balapatabendi under the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has been named in the Offshore leaks database released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Colombo Telegraph investigation found.
Bala, CBK, Athula Nimalasiri and Mahinda | File photo
Kusumsiri Balapatabendi was the Chairman of all tender boards during the PA regime appointed by then President Kumaratunga. He was also the Chairman, SriLankan Airlines. He was then appointmented as High Commissioner in Australia. Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi, has invested nearly Rs. 300 million in real estate in Australia since having migrated only four years ago in the year 2000, according to an article published by the Sunday Leader in December 2004.
According to the newspaper the young Balapatabendi’s name was also associated with the multi million dollar locomotive deal during the PA regime where the cabinet appointed tender board (CATB) headed by B. C. Perera was summoned to Temple Trees by President Kumaratunga and told to change the award made to the lowest bidders. The award finally went at a cost of millions of dollars more to a group reportedly backed by Balapatabendi junior. During the time of President Kumaratunga, Harendra Balapatabendi, was also embroiled in arms procurement scandals.
According to Offshore leaks database junior Balapatabendi maintains two accounts as Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi and Balapatabendi Harendra. Both accounts categorised by the ICIJ as “linked country unidentified”. Balapatabendi Harendra is connected to one entity by the name of ‘Pacific Secure Lanka Ltd’ which was incorporated in October 2000 and is within the jurisdiction of British Virgin Islands.
Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi is connected to one entity by the name of ‘Blue Horizon Group International Ltd’ which was incorporated in January 2004 and is within the jurisdiction of British Virgin Islands. Lakshman De Fonseka a shareholder of the same company had also opened an account in the same date in British Virgin Islands.
srinath.gunaratne / May 13, 2016
Looks like everyone’s secretaries are quite rich!
I dream the day we can get right Police and Tax department and fine the shit out of this fat cats who robbed mother Lanka!
Is there any better way to punish them than taking their ill gotten loot and let him live to enjoy the after life?
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Funlover / May 13, 2016
“…robbed Mother Lanka”. You turn of phrase triggered this question: have you heard of [Edited out]
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Mallaiyuran / May 13, 2016
” mother Lanka”!. I wonder which Pali holy Chronicle is teaching all these serenity ideas!
Who is this woman, man! Sleeping with everybody. That is how her fallen down Jewels are all over everywhere.
The woman starts to sleep with India; same night she wake up and move to Pakistan’s bed, Then America and China, The Israel and Iran, then Ukraine and Russia, then Belarus, then Cuba, then Venezuela then Seychelles, Swaziland, Uganda, British Virgin Island…. it is the Lanka Whore Island.
Then next night restart everything with ETCA all over again. Now India has expressed the relationship may improve with the new vista of Janathipathi Mahata.
Its all started with Vijeya’s grandmother;Isn’t it?
“Mother Lanka” The country of ultimate crooks.
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srinath.gunaratne / May 13, 2016
One hell of a place mate, But we still love it, I dont know why?
May be we should be thrashed too, wasting time on this effing island!
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SriLankan / May 13, 2016
This is how I judge a Sri Lankan multi-millionaire regardless of the person’s ethnic or social background.
i=0; Subject is a fraud (50 % True)
i=1; If not then the subject’s parents or grandparents or great grandparents were frauds. (20 % True)
i=2; If not then the subject was part of a fraud team of professionals. (29.9 % True)
i=3; All 3 assumptions about the subject was negative every time the subject’s success story was verified by many different sources (0.1% True).
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Analyst / May 13, 2016
While the secretaries and their offsprings got rich by being the secretaries of the past Presidents and looted our country ! These people are Buddhists believing in all the 10 Precepts??
How did they loot and hide??
No no
No Conscience one bit , then coming after another one to criticise??
Bloody crooks !!!
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Ben Hurling / May 13, 2016
I noticed this guy, Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi’s secretive, offshore, tax haven links sometime ago. Years before Panama Papers. Was wondering how he managed all these assets. The answer is obvious. Corrupt money swindled off Sri Lanka.
Amazing how our corrupt, incompetent authorities never notice anything. Ever!
These white-collar crooks are so well connected to the ruling scoundrel in SL. Be they SLFP or UNP. All thieves of the worst sort.
In a way I admire Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi’s & his ilk’s focus and stamina in milking impoverished Sri Lanka dry to enrich themselves.
Millions of Sri Lankans pinned their hopes and dreams on Yaha Palanaya. The new GOSL. Mastermind behind that change, Sobitha Thero has since left us.
Nevertheless, shameless vultures of Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi’s calibre have returned to plum positions in SL. In no time.
Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi has picked up his business in Sri Lanka, exactly where he left, when Maha Raja came to power in 2005.
Who appointed this Balapatabendi to the board of Sri Lankan Airlines? I am sure it has been a highly lucrative deal for the Balapatabendi clan.
Cheers!
PS: Sri Lankans are stupid.
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Perriappa / May 13, 2016
“PS: Sri Lankans are stupid.”
Does that include your good self? Or is one better than others according to oneself?
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Ben Hurling / May 14, 2016
Perriappa,
“PS: Sri Lankans are stupid.”
Indeed they are. And if you offended, so are you.
Who else would appoint a man of Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi’s background to Sri Lankan Airlines. A company that is sucking this struggling nations blood shamelessly.
Only stupid people would do such a thing. After everything we have just been through.
Now a few well-connected, corrupt cronies can now fly business class around the world. Including to British Virgin Islands & Panama. Perhaps award themselves a few fat contracts via companies they control as well. Isn’t that nice?
May I remind you we just got rid of Nishantha Wickramasinghe. His son Dilshan managed to swindle a lot of funds by grabbing GOSL contracts as well. Where is that guy now? Living it up in Down Under? Just like Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi?
Cheers!
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Spring Koha / May 13, 2016
AND, the worst part is that he flew to all these places ‘summa’ on the sweat of the poor working man’s taxes. Now I understand why it is called ‘business class’.
The thing is now that we know where the moolah is, all we have to do now is send that nice Mrs Kalyani Dahanayake, business class of course, to go and ask for the money back. (Kalyani, please take your ID card and your letter of appointment with you).
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Goraka / May 13, 2016
Thieves, thugs, bribe takers, murderers, rapists, etc., comes from all communities. We often tend to give a religious label to it. They are neither Buddhism, nor Islam, nor Christianity, etc. Some even use religion as a cover to gain acceptance for their crimes.
The religion of these deviants are called “Criminals”
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max / May 13, 2016
As long as the suspect is not an alley of “MaRa”, its not a crime!
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thrishu / May 13, 2016
Thanks to ICIJ all these rogues are being exposed. Our national infrastructures that should have unearthed these misdemeanors are not only impotent, they have been managed and still are managed by incompetent individuals at best or at worst involved in these misdemeanors themselves.
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Patriot / May 13, 2016
Not valid he is not a Rajapaksa.
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harry hatton / May 13, 2016
This cheap brief less lawyer (formerly clerk at land reform commission)made an incredible jump into money and position due to his connection with Chandrika.
Chandrika who only fired her mouth off but had no standards whatever made him a PC, Bala the crook used his position to get position as secretary to president , for all his children, they made illicit money from made kinds of deals became respectable and rich.
Like all corrupt sri lankans it were his sons who did the deals.
The bugger then betrayed chandrika and got appointed by MR, High Commissioner to australia where his son was criminally operating .
Now MR has appointed this crooked son to the totally discredited Board of air Lanka. This board is like the 40 crooks, all out to make the maximum while tasting paradise!
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jim softy / May 13, 2016
Some one told, chandrika herself transferred lands to her house servants and then sold.
Transferring wealth to friends is something that every politician does and it is very common. That has a lomng history.
Maithri and Ranil know it, but they don’t want to stop it because they may lose their jobs, and they may also get caught in the same trap.
So, watch how fast the Secretary of the present president, prime minister get rich.
that may be the reason why every minister appoints their brother, brother in laws to junior posts.
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Mallaiyuran / May 13, 2016
Did you see the picture up there?
Chandrika crying. It appears like a memorial day of the shooting death of Solomon West Ridgeway Dias by one of his bald headed guards. (You know, it was like Mrs. Gandhi’s death- That is why now Mutheduwe Ananda Thero organizing the protection for Old King. He wants to keep the army guards not one less and not one more than the guards Old King provided for him. )
Chandrika is not really crying – Aanandakanneer- Tears of happiness; she is closing her face and saying “Thank you” for her Dad. “Dad is my Dad, if did you not do that sacrifice to Buddhism, would I been on this seat today. Thank you my Dad!”
Old King is so mad, swearing at his dad. “It is because of that foolish man they captured the power and ruling it over for ever; see I am still here”
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Plato. / May 13, 2016
Reforming this country,and getting rid of these corrupt cronies is an impossible job! Its wheels within wheels.
The only consolation is the rising Sea-Levels!
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Sengodan. M / May 14, 2016
Who else in Sri Lanka? Expose all these corrupt rouges, C. T. Well done!
Sengodan. M
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jim softy / May 14, 2016
[Edited out]
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Hadugandaya / May 14, 2016
Didn’t this Yahapalana government appointed Harendra Kolitha Balapatabendi as a Director of Sri Lankan Airlines
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AngryCow / May 14, 2016
Why are you shocked? S.Leader used to refer to him as “cheap belt wearer” as a pun on his last name. They did all these with full knowledge and wink wink from CBK. Where did the wealth come from? Everyone knew the son was dealing and making money via weapons. So why are you all acting shocked? Even Premedasa’s right hand man and now RW’s main confidant Pasky made lots of money and ran off to hide in Australia when CBK won.
JR’s Secretary Menikdiwala also made loads of money through the son. He also dealt with weapons. Some of the kids and some UNP ministers sons were appointed to the Wash DC embassy. How did their kids get to study abroad? Where did the money come from?
Everyone knows how Lalith W stooped down so low during MR times. We are talking big big money via arms deal and contracts. CBK awarded the train contract to a French company; those power sets cannot even pull cars uphill.
Make hay while the sun shines.
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Brian S / May 14, 2016
KASumanasekera, where are you?
This must be “making your days” (as you put it) to see more “southerners that the Rajapaksas have done something for”.
And as I said in response “… it’s not only the southerners that the Rajapaksas have done “something” for, they have done plenty for themselves and their near and dear by ripping off the country (among innumerable other crimes).
Wait for more days to be “made” with the other reports coming soon.
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Kamba Hera / May 14, 2016
I think you have selective amnesia. You have forgotten how this ‘Choura Regina’ and Ratwatte’s looted public money.
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ajantha / May 14, 2016
Mother of all deals including emirates deal is now hanging on to maru sira redda trying to show the world that she is the most honorable person in the history of SL.
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DissanayakeS / May 15, 2016
Are we Confused??? Are they all thieves??
We can’t believe? Creators of waha ma pala naya{Snake} can’t be Horu. Don’t tell ‘Horuu Horu Horu’ all the time!!!
This can’t be true the way they talk!!! They are very clean. Why is this crying ? It’s very difficult to understand?? Is there any FCID issue. Who is the one controlling present regime?
Who is the architect of present regime? Big Brains and negotiators. Don’t they take these individuals in to custody for undeclared black money. Are they having a special immunity??. Getting confused all the time??. Very difficult to understand who exactly are the thieves?.
It seems like, that present past and future prospects remains to same?? This can’t be true the way they talk?? These articles tell lot of lies!! We don’t believe!!
The Horu Horu no Mi is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that grants the user the ability to create and control special hormones that can affect anyone they strike by however the user desires, making the user a Hormone Controlling Human . That is what we mean!.
All are same there were articles on Divayina news paper on other alternatives. And the other alternatives not mentioned are much worse. What will be the future of our children and grand children remains to be seen.?
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Pin Pointer / May 15, 2016
He is currently in the Director Board of SriLankan Airlines. Check out the airline’s website, 2014/15 Annual Report, Profile of Directors, Page 11.
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san / May 16, 2016
Why cant yahpalanaya put all these people in the Jail first and ask the question where is the money , then they will tell the story , other wise they will bribe the Judges and get out easily , karma will follow then
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A,Punyasiri / May 17, 2016
It is clearly evident that all leading supporters and officials of CBK are also crooks. They try to show that they are saints and MRs ones are crooks. But it is not so. Similarly supporters, officials and highups of UNPers from the time DS and afterwards are also in the same boat.It may include, Gamini Dissanayake, R, Premadasa and his clan as well
One cannot point his fingers
only at MR or CBK only!
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bernardkdasa / May 18, 2016
Chandrika Kum was Sri Lanka’s Bandit queen why did she did hide behind Hon Kadi who had to defene her Tawakkal cement affair why did she sold profit making Insuarance Corporstion Distillaries corporation Ceylon Gas Company all profit making institutions forbenefit of this country it is much regretable still there are idiots to lick the back of this Patta Bitch.
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Jayan / May 18, 2016
We all know that Chandrika is a crook but when compared with Mahinda, she is a saint. We, Sri Lankans thought by sending home Mahinda would bring prosperity. But we are highly mistaken, because most of the crooks of Mahinda regime are back in power and making deals with this government. Sirisena/Wickramasinghe may not be corrupt as Mahinda, but they just don’t have “balls” catch the crooks and punish. Oh God! Sri Lanka needs a Dr. Subramaniam Swami very badly. The only honest man I can think of is former Auditor General Sarath Mayadunne, who tried his very best to bring the crooks to book, but left disheartened because our citizenry is not very keen in fighting corruption. We can only hope that the God would save Sri Lanka from crooks and racketeers.
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Maha / May 19, 2016
If honesty was introduced to Sri Lanka the entire system will collapse.
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Jayan / June 5, 2016
We all know what a crook is Chandrika and there after Mahinda, who robbed the country in mega scale. Unfortunately for the people of this country can’t expect these yahapalana fellows, Sirisena/Wickramasinghe government to take actions against them, as they themselves are crooks and deal makers, who’s only interest is to remain in power. We only hope that the God would punish them.
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