Government probes Swiss bank accounts issue
March 8, 2015 06:12 pm
An inquest is underway in connection with a Parliamentarian and two top governmental officials who are holding bank accounts in foreign countries, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said.
It has come to light that these accounts have been opened in Dubai banks, according to the Minister.
Karunanayake added that the authorities are also investigating a number of reported citizens who hold bank accounts in countries including Switzerland, Ukraine and Dubai.
According to data released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and leaked by an HSBC whistleblower indicated that some ninety-two Sri Lankans hold a total of $58.3 million in 129 Swiss bank accounts.
According to Swiss Leaks, 88 client accounts were opened between 1974 and 2006 and linked to 129 bank accounts. Of the 92 total clients 18% have a Sri Lankan passport or nationality. ICIJ notes that each client could be linked to more than one country and that there are more than 19,000 clients not associated with any country.
