Once again, the secret dealings of world leaders as well as public officials have been laid bare before the world through the Pandora papers. The exposé also provides clear evidence of how the offshore industry promotes corruption and emphasizes the importance of maintaining open beneficial ownership registers, including in Sri Lanka, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said in its statement.
The statement further explains, the Papers refer to extensive assets held offshore by former Deputy Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband, Thirukumar Nadesan.
Transparency International Sri Lanka calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that independent investigations are carried out expeditiously into the revelations made by the Pandora Papers. This would entail allowing law enforcement authorities and the judiciary to pursue and complete the existing pending investigations pertaining to the implicated persons without interference.
TISL reiterates that it is imperative for Sri Lanka to domestically carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine if any of the wealth identified in the Pandora Papers emanates from the abuse of Sri Lanka’s public resources.
