Sri Lankans in Pandora’s Box

It was shocking to read the high number of Sri Lankans in the Pandora Papers revelations. This poor country and its pathetic people are not aware of how unscrupulous personalities are exploiting its weak systems to accumulate riches in tax havens.

Many of them live in this country and have done all their business here. Have they declared their income to the Inland Revenue Department in the relevant years? Have they obtained exchange control permission to take the money out? If not, they have committed a crime against the country and its people.

When we look at the kind of officials occupying positions at the Inland Revenue Department and the Finance Ministry, it is not surprising that these businessmen can do these kinds of things and get away. Our officials are so unsophisticated that they do not understand anything to do with high financial matters, especially if done overseas. On the other side, many of the Government officials are pathetic and accept bribes and gifts from rich businessmen.

These new revelations have exposed the open crimes being committed every day in our country. 

We can only hope these relevant Government departments and the Police now at least wake up from their slumber. In other countries we see fast action. In our country we only make statements. 

These names now stand exposed. 

Before the year ends, they should stand in the dock of public condemnation.

 N. Kuruppu