5 December, 2024

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Yahapālanaya Suppresses Investigation Of Rs 16 Billion Duty Free Vehicle Permit Scam Involving Govt Servants And BMW Importer

Sri Lanka Customs has suppressed an inquiry into a 16 billion rupee tax revenue fraud involving government servants and the BMW motorcar importer, Prestige Automobiles, Colombo Telegraph can reveal today.

Heinz Adolf Reuter – Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Automobiles

According to documents in the possession of Colombo Telegraph, Customs had inquired into the importation of 1728 brand new BMW vehicles under the concessionary duty permits issued by the government for the public servants between 2011 and 2014. 

The Central Investigation Bureau of the Customs (CIB) elicited evidence in May 2016 to the effect that the subject 1728 brand new BMW vehicles imported through Prestige Automobiles, Colombo in the name of various permit holders were in fact imported not by the permit holders themselves but by third parties who are not entitled to avail of duty concessions offered to public servants by the Government. It has also been found that the value of the Imported vehicles disclosed in the commercial invoices, proforma invoices and the CusDecs, tendered to Customs by declarants in the names of permit holders are not the actual transacted values for the vehicles in question.

CIB estimates that the loss incurred by the government on account of this fraud is estimated to be over 16 billion rupees, Rs 16,263,535,365.00 to be exact. (see the document below)

Prestige Automobiles, Colombo, the authorised representative of the BMW AG Germany, has not provided the invoices with true market value to the Customs for the cars imported on tax concessionary permits and had instead had submitted fictitious invoices through another German company called Navigare International which, established by the same founder member, Heinz Adolf Reuter – Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Automobiles, Colombo.

Surprisingly on 21st of May, 2016 the Director of Customs had instructed all officers to postpone all inquiries and investigations with regard to valuations of motor vehicles. 

Meanwhile, according to a whistleblower, the suspect company has withdrawn a huge amount of hard cash from its bank (200 million rupees), possibly to pay off  individuals who influenced the decision making process.

Latest comments

  • 33
    40

    The Scam was between 2011 and 2014 which was during the Previous Corrupt Regime. But, the Investigations have been STOPPED by the New regime which came to power on the Promise to institute a CLEAN Administration. It didn’t take long for the new govt. to demonstrate what their idea of a CLEAN Administration is.

    As the JVP used to say, “Oonuth Ekai, Moonuth Ekai”

    • 26
      32

      So called good governance rule came into being in Jan 2015 but promising the people s long awaiting grievances in terms of serving the due justice regarding HIGH PROFILE Rajapkashe high crimes-have not YET being investigated or filed as real cases.

      If I were Thadjudeen family, whose son was brutally murdered by Rajapakshe sons, I would have gone amok by today. There should be some limits to the patience of a human beings, the body parts of the dead too was abused by Rajapakshe supprotive men in that post mortem investigations.

      But their media men (Derana and Hiru TV channels) biased to Rajapakshe, bury the information feeding the people with wrongful information as such Rajapakshes were not involved in that murder. That is how this country, state let the investigations hold in terms of HIGH crimes.

      Back and forth, nobody seems to be doing the due, even if UN resoultions seem to have got passed proving the independence of local courts. AG who is the responsible professional to hold the priorities of the cases heaped on his table, has been showing so lethargic and indifferent. Not the least seems to have achieved during the last 6 months. People have lost their hopes kept on this new govt. President just utters big public statements, like he said few days ago, if lanken police would fail do the job on getting the most wanted racial monk arrested, he would even ask army to do the job. But these have been restrict to their words.
      The country is set to a mess. With some ministers getting all the blamage for their high crimes to have done – while others just stay as if lazy animals in thick jungles would do. Old men comparably in the same age of Zimbawian president, Mugabe are also behaving like animals before the Journalists, but nothing seem to happen in terms of law and order enforcement.

      I think now it is high time International Communities to put the pressure on RULING government not keeping the promises as made to the nation and IC by this govt.

      Not a single high profile case has finalized yet, BUT 3 years (365 x3 days = 1100 days) passed since they ve been in power.

      • 23
        12

        Mr Jayaweera, you seem to be in possession of very valuablee information in regard Thajudeen case. Please help Thajudeen family and investigating authorities by presenting them. Don’t you realise it is height of immorality to keep them for yourself? —-Soma

        • 20
          13

          Soma,

          I dont think those murders would be able to stay away from not being caught, for the rest of their life.

          That was one of the brutal murders ever got to know in lanken history.
          Until this govt came to power, Thadjudeen s death was believed to have happened thorugh an accident remember ?
          Now with the Deputy POLICE man is set free again, who was alleged to have involved in that various other crimes, as Jayaweera makes it very clear, the victimized family is double hurt.

          Where is the justice ?

          They let people to die by natural diasaster easily ?

          No proper mechanisms have been introduced..

          There is no respect and dignity for a human life in the COUNTRY CALLED srilanka.
          That is the saddest reality.

        • 20
          15

          Not just only me, but almsot every healthy person can see it – nothing like investigations was conducted against former JMO who let his body parts go missing during the post mortem examinations. Later they were reported to have found in the freezers of SAITM pvt medical college. Then it again took months up to now, we the people are left in dark not any news about the on going investigations.
          Why Mrs Rajapakshe formers wife was NOT yet interoggated on the murder ?

          Why Yoshita Rajapakshe, play boy son of the former was treated with all facilities also letting him travels to abroad ?

          Is that THE average rights given to other alleged high criminals in this country ?

          No, why the impunity is still THERE in terms of Rajapakshe family ?

          When would UNO or any other world police put the pressure on lanken leagl bodies to do the job properly ?

          • 11
            14

            What other Asian country could have allowed the rise of the uneducated uncultured thieving Rajapaksas?
            A search of past and present Asian leaders show professional persons and some military leaders who pushed their countries forward but nothing like this low life robber family of ours?
            Not even water for their own voter base after nearly ten years in office?
            Pensions for journalists,free laptops,interest free car loans, Sil Redi and roofing sheets before elections, arrak and lunch packs plus Rs1000 at rallies?
            Pass the effing sick bag as these clowns would make African despots puke.

            • 0
              0

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          • 0
            0

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        • 4
          6

          somaass Ji————- You seem eager to destroy evidence and bump off witness. Are you one of the b***s carrying enforcer.

      • 12
        4

        Samuel, here’s an idea. Talk directly to the Thadjudeen family. I am sure, they will give you power of attorney to talk on behalf of them in order to place the justice to the dead. And bring “rajapakshe sons” to the justice. Hurry up. Already 2 years have gone of yahapalana and its digging business has nothing unearthed. Hope your not kidding and not shedding crocodile tears to the deceased.

        • 11
          14

          MAXIMORON, as one who would lick the balls of Rajapakshe kith and kin being stuck to a permanent mode, you shoudl be clear how abusive the Rajakashe have been.
          Even today, the man was farting around in Japan, with whosefunds ?
          Rajapakshe broad day light murderers should be hung by their balls to leave us in peace inthis country.
          We can bear the burden left by the idiots anymore. Now with all the shocks left by natural disasters, it becomes even multiple times. You guys to lick their asses, again and again, is no means commendable.

          • 1
            1

            Uncle Simon, you have a better job. Call John Amaratunge, asap, for details. Or else, Ravi Karu. You can fly around the world and sell lottery tickets.

        • 7
          12

          You ideas can only be useful to Rajapakshes and their toiletting.

          So please be away from adding your stupid remarks on the high crimes.

          You have no hearts, your families would have to face it too, those who support the high criminals are no less dangerous. You are an idiot Maxi..

        • 3
          9

          max ——————– What are you doing here when you are supposed to be marking all the target businesses during day time and attacking them in the night. Hope you have stored enough petrol to go around. ——————————————————————- In case if you want 200% impunity please shave your head and wear saffron garments. No one will dare touch you. Its going to be the longest night for you, sirinathan gunaratnam, somass, Champa, ranjith(sprrw), …………………and jimmy. The saffron clad thug Gnanasara was looking for T 56 assault rifles. Ask him to contact KP who may be able to find container loads for him and you . Jeyawewa.

          • 0
            0

            Native Vedda, such a low level you have fallen! I actually thought your difference from the idiotic clique, Simon de Silvas, Samuels, Nimals etc., whose sense is no second to John Amare.

            Sorry, your dream to push me towards BBS – an ally of yahapalanaya, never becomes real. Try something else. By the way, NV, have you abandoned from the role you play as a “sales representative” of TNA and a tireless propagandist of Tamil Chauvinism, which is THE curse to this country, in a way?

          • 0
            0

            Yes indeed Mr Native Vedda, the mentioned will disguish themselves in the days to come. No doubt abou tthat.
            That is the only wayout them to be not caught by the authorities.
            Inbetween, we have a so called powerful police that has failed to catch the bugger wearing saffron robes, and almost incited all violent attacked in aluthgatma or anywhere in recent past.

            Maxi moron should be a sodomite of Ghanasraa et al. Now with almost everything come up in terms of the fradulent acts of balusara, police has not been successful catching him.
            This is a country btw, to have fought a 30 year long war…

            The kind of impunity mechanisms are the main reasons, all these various thugs to be mingled with innocient people sofar.

      • 0
        0

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    • 4
      10

      I believe, one by one, they the current men take all those cases back, since they have also been doing the same level of corruption deals.
      If the loads of BMW vehicle purchase was between 2011 to 2014, and all were completed that way, if any hearted lawyers would see, they can stand against the high crimes, that tax payers fiunds are fully involved.

      EVEN IF PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVE THE ALLEGETIONS OR HIGH PROFILE CRIME DOERS INCLUDING MURDERS; NOTHING SEEM TO WORK IN THIS LOST LAND::: THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE SITUATION; BUT A THING BE OF SERIOUS CONCERN::: THEY THE LEADERS SING THEIR SONGS::: AS USULA::: WE THE PSEDUO FOOLS:::: STAY AS IF THE INJECTED MICE IN THE EXPERIMENTAL DESK:: HOW MANY MORE YEARS TO GO WITH THIS UNBEARABLE ALL HIGH LEVELS CORRUPTION HANDLINGS ? PLEASE GOD HELP SRILANKA::: IT IS NOW IN YOUR HAND:

    • 6
      11

      Everyone ‘s penises are tied together as nothing can work forward.

      That is what we see in today ‘ s context.

      Give me one single court case except that Bharatha verdict – former Kudu DUmiya becoming a prisoner ?

      We perfectly know how MR mafia king, made everything possible Kudu Dumiya to take the treatments keeping in Singaore hospital. Who paid the bills ?
      Ballige putha or Dumiya s family. Airlanka was made a non profit organisation by Ballige putha et all, then what else was not taken to that level by them ?
      All these need proper investigations, Peoples funds have been abused as no other.

      Then in today context, the President is as no leader is there. PM stays mum when RK put his nose everyhwere. JVP stays as if their penises are tied with that of some politicians. What is the problem of lanken politics to this day ?
      Dhiwula pitiya or anywhere, you cant see anything to have happened in terms of serving justice. High crime doers enjoy further, .. we the ones look at them. we are made to do so, but this govt. We have become laughing stock for the world.

    • 6
      3

      and the JVP power is – Kim Jong-un Paradai.

    • 2
      0

      “As the JVP used to say, “Oonuth Ekai, Moonuth Ekai”; or is it As the JVP should say “Oonuth Ekai, Moonuth Ekai Apith Ekai”

    • 1
      0

      The German in charge of Prestige Motors is Multi talented and a man close to all parties and powerful men in Government in Customs. In SL you can buy most people.

  • 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/

  • 8
    14

    With all the latest disaster donations pouring in how long before our dishonorable gentlemen are caught carrying out helping Hambantota type scams?

    • 5
      11

      Gamini,

      we thought new mechanisms would have been introduced by new men, as they criticised it to the core before coming to power.

      Even if anyone thought JVPrs to be no practical, but we dont have any other choice than given them a mandate to lead this country.

      The french has been doing the unexpected which is strenghening the hand of young president and his party. I dont think the people down there in SL will see it right yet, but I still believe, at least some elements willshow their empathy to JVPrs seeing it right. I personally dont think JVPrs are matured enough to handle things internationalyl, but we dont have any other option.

      If they could at least focus on reducie corruption that can help the future of this country.

      JVP should become the govering party of the country.
      Then only, they can control high profile corruption handlings.
      God bless srilanka.

      • 3
        0

        The root of the problem lies in the unnecessary power vested with the politicians. It is these powers blocking the justice and fair play. If statutory bodies are vested with the correct powers and vigilant monitoring without legislators to interfere such crimes and frauds will not take place. President is holding power to solve environment problem and APY is holding responsibility to solve Disaster Management issues. Both do not know their jobs. If there is a professional regulatory body to oversee these areas the recent disasters and sub standard living could have been avoided. Everything now look like a cuckoo’s nest.

  • 14
    16

    This case has several ramifications. A fraud in this magnitude cannot be done without the insider help. It is learned that the man behind this colossal revenue fraud is attempting to slip out of the country and that he has already siphoned off billions of defrauded tax revenue to Germany through ‘Undial system’, the illegal money transfer system.

    If one wants to remedy the situation, first and foremost the rotten Customs administration should be put in order and the DGC, who is nothing but a puppet of the party in power and not performing the office for public good, should be removed forthwith as a deterrent to other public officers who hold high public offices and shall be dealt with strictly according to law.

    • 10
      6

      “”A fraud in this magnitude cannot be done without the insider help. “
      Trying to Drain the Swamp?? Even the Donald is surrounded by arms industry american billionaires hold federal bonds to the tune of $$$17 trillion………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
      [Edited out]

  • 2
    10

    Truth can never be told and what can be told is never the truth .Peer H.I.Khan.

    Pathetic state of affairs in Sri Lanka is, truth is not defined by analysing and concluding without bias all sides, truth is always ,in everything ,Politics , slander ,scandals name it, everything , The truth is defined by
    Blindly accepting whatever is told ,
    Only three criteria are required, 1)The opponent be week financially and politically , 2) belong to any group that is easily targeted ,basically falls under hate criteria
    3)Someone who stands up for even his enemy ….even CT will be pressured to edit out such a person
    So follow News 1st formula ,we report (any muck) and you decide mutts of Citizens burn the nation

  • 4
    1

    What Donald says is true. He gets regular sizable contributions from British Donors, for the ‘GOOD WORK’ he done for them from Colombo.

  • 5
    10

    This fraud is one among many that had taken place and are taking place during and after the MR Regime. The RELEASE of containers and connected frauds were and are very visible and the loss of revenue is no matter to those involved, because the actual losers are the people of the country. What is there to dig into these matters, when even the ex Minister of Finance owned a cargo company, through which quite a lot of fraudulent activities were carried out. These and very many other frauds were and are being done through the “Friends & Relations” installed in high profile positions in State Departments and Corporations. Has anyone given serious thoughts as to why the present Minister of Foreign Affairs STRUGGLED so hard and even threatened with resignation to obtain the two Lotteries Boards under his wing? The ordinary people including Ministers and other politicians make a “Mockery” out of it and LAUGH at it. The much HIDDEN factor is yet to be revealed and it will appear in time to come. These two Corporations will be another important tool to be used for much wanted and loved fraud of MONEY LAUNDERING. The MECHANISM of this operation is going to spread to the world at large, but space and word limitations in this page restrict further description of the details. This operation is very smooth and secretive and it is international.

  • 0
    0

    [Edited out]

  • 4
    7

    System of political patronage continues from RW to My3 onwards. Sycophancy rules. What happened to Arthur Senanayake who was owner of Prestige? Rumor was this fatso German was his engineer and did a number on Arthur? Arthur was a big wheeler dealer.

  • 0
    0

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  • 0
    0

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  • 2
    5

    why should public servants get this concession.If they are getting why shoudn’t private sector employees.Therein lies the root cause of the problem.,with public sector employees being pampered through taxes paid by the private sector.In future all concessions to public sector employees should be withdrawn.They have become a huge burden and liability to the country.

    regarding the current issue a citizens committee must file action in the courts as to why this investigation has been stopped and by whom.also a seperate case to be filed to stop discrimination against private sector employees and whatever state sector gets the private sector too should.

    • 1
      0

      shankar ————-“Public servants are no longer public instead they have all become privately owned servants.

  • 0
    0

    No wonder that we have become a dependent nation.
    All that the prosecution needs to do is prove there was an agreed-upon plan to commit a crime and that the defendant was in agreement with the plan. This should be enough to charge with conspiracy if customs and the Attorney General knows about such a conspiracy, or associates with others who are conspirators.
    Billion rupee income in to the pockets of whom ?

  • 0
    0

    And they expect hard earned foreign to come into the country.

  • 0
    0

    Investigation of this massive fraud will “open a can of worms” – like “saleable duty free vehicle permits” to parliamentarians – hence secret orders to the customs chief to stop the investigations – palms have been oiled – he could not have done it on his own.

    Sri Lanka the Paradise Isle a.k.a Dharmadwipa is like no other.

    All frauds are adding up, increasing the external debt burden to the nation, and hence young men and women are fleeing abroad to escape the future.

    The much touted PRECIFAC is until now unable to try even a single perpetrator of massive scams in courts.

  • 1
    0

    There was a time when workers employed overseas could bring in vehicles at a concessionary rate. That saved the country a lot of foreign exchange and the government made money from taxes and duties.

  • 0
    0

    We all should realize that nothing good is going to happen any time soon or even later, such as things like inquiries, punishment etc., No way for sure.
    All these rascal politicians, the old bunch & the new bunch are playing the same old game of YOU scratch my back & I scratch yours…game cheating each and every citizen with absolute confidence that we all will elect them again & again to rule over us all. They know pretty well that we are all stupid idiotic people, and so they use our vote bank and ride about doing their own funny politics & games calling it with some fancy word like Yahapalanaya and all that….
    Each and every government invented fancy word about their ruling style. War for peace, yahapalanaya, and all blah blahs. Its all the same old trick and nothing changed since independence.
    If anyone have any expectation about real governance, or the meaningful rule of law…please just have no dreams or any hope at all.
    We are in for a long….and absolute disastrous future with these fake political prostitutes.
    They are and will wreck our entire lives for their own selfish political survival. Their political survival is more important to every one of them than the survival of ordinary citizen.
    Sri Lanka never produced a Nelson Mandela, a Mahathma Ghandhi, a Jawaharlal Nehru, an Indira Gandhi or any real patriot to care for the common people.
    We only elected cheap rascals from our cesspit political inventory. Since we had or have no one suitable to rule over us in the proper way. We are set to face all the disasters coming our way, weather we like it or not.
    Do we have any choice !!!
    Just can only feel sorry for our fate…:(

  • 2
    1

    IF BMW chief submitted fictitious invoices he should have chased out this country.
    If he had done this if proven guilty he would done serious harm to reputed motor car manufacturer in Germany.

  • 1
    3

    Some people believe that MONEY talks at all times.

    This is probably one of the best examples that demonstrates that it is not the case at all the time.

    In a few days time this person will be brought to Justice for defrauding the Public Funds of over 16 billion rupees with irrefutable evidence presented to the Court of Law.

  • 2
    1

    Its upto the Civil Society to call for a full boycott of Prestige Motors, and cease buying BMWs. Prestige should be held accountable as this is down-right PLUNDERING of the nation. If offering of bribes, commissions, etc will stop, bribery will stop and ALL these politicos will be engaged in the only thing they are good at. Cultivation. Chinese companies also should have likewise held responsible.

    A day will surely dawn when all this filthy lucre will not be worth the paper its printed on.

    • 1
      1

      “”Its upto the Civil Society to call for a full boycott of Prestige Motors, and cease buying BMWs. “” When Prince charles and Cameron were there all you wind bags hid under a woman’s skirt and that included sobita. patchwork culture can’t do won’t do.The haves would always buy their BMW’s even in the USA at 35% taxes.

  • 1
    0

    Very unfortunate we are in the syndrome “If you cannot beat them, join them”. The present GoSL never even tried to beat them. They have gone into the mode “Make hay while the sun shines”.

  • 1
    0

    Still couldn’t find Gunarasa the saffron thug

    Once the wharf clerk now multi billionaire the Sajin off the hook

    Mangalam promised he will bring all the black money invested abroad

    They keen to find illegal vehicles and.drivers

    Vast ethonel importer wasn’t even named

    No charges or inquiries where they build an air port for not for planes

    Leasing out the resources for Chinese

    We import rice but not tea yet coffee was our 3rd largest export I heard

    Even the IGP caught red handed when front of media all these “yes sir” business

    Doctors are taking place of Gota behind the scene agenda soon they will ask for white van permits

    Colombo becoming drugs hubs

    Every where corruption and becoming norm

    Only the ordinary left with God’s miracle to bring back the good old Ceylon

    Am not a supporter of VP if he would have take the course for all ceylonese and left the Tamil Elllam agenda it would have been different

    So far lying in custody is pilliyan

    Are we heading for another Somalia

    Good that less corrupt is Tamils and Muslim brothers

  • 1
    0

    what are our civil society groups doing.Have the also joined the bandwagon of yahapalanaya.Chandra fernando,where are you?Why don’t you meet the president on this issue and ask him to decree that all the MP’s who made illegal profits resign and recontest in a bye election.nagananda has done his part and failed with the wit our injustice system stating that there is no basis to proceed and dismissing.

    First, chandra ,we have to make our injustice system a justice system.please give some ideas in the new constitution to make this happen so that the judiciary is not subservient to parliament.People will have no choice but to rise up one day in a arab spring style uprising after their abundant tolerance limits have been exceeded when they find that whatever election they vote they get the same rascals robbing them and building houses.

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