News

CBSL receives more complaints against OnmaxDT

Published

12 months ago

May 15, 2023

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has received repeated complaints against OnmaxDT, Sri Lanka Mirror learns.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis recently ordered an American company which had invested in OnmaxDT accused of earning USD 100 million through illegal pyramid schemes, to freeze eight of its accounts.

The CBSL conducted an investigation regarding this institution and three others and complained to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that the directors, promoters and founders of the institution had committed a punishable offence under Section 83 A (1) of the Banking Act.

Meanwhile, the CBSL said that it has received between 20 and 30 complaints regarding pyramid schemes in the past four months.

The Central Bank said that investing money in pyramid schemes is a punishable offence under the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988.

Such acts are punishable offences under the Penal Code and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as well.

Those involved in this scam can also be charged with concealment of true information under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act.

The Central Bank also said that those involved in pyramid schemes are also guilty of a number of other offences including non-payment of debts, theft, forgery and check fraud.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank pointed out that the fact that people who are engaged in these pyramid schemes are at large is a reason for the spread of this crime.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

11 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.