News

Lycamobile accused of money laundering & VAT fraud in France

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

editor

Lycamobile France, three of its managers and eight other people are on trial in Paris from Monday on charges of money laundering and VAT fraud between 2014 and 2016, French media reported.

Lycamobile is owned by Subaskaran Aliraja, who has become the ultimate owner of three radio and television channels in Sri Lanka. The company has also offered to buy state-owned shares in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Lanka Hospital PLC.

BFM Business news said a Paris Court is looking into Lycamobile involving a series of front companies and traders in the Parisian district of La Chapelle, which would have made it possible to launder more than 17 million euros in seven months.

However, according to the company, which defends itself from any infringement, has said that a “system” has been set up “without their knowledge.”

Revealed by the Buzzfeed site, the investigations were launched in early 2016 into the allegations.

The investigations revealed a circular operation where there were construction companies which made transfers and checks to “filter” companies in exchange of false invoices.

These companies, in reality empty shells, bought cards and phone recharges from Lycamobile, but these goods were not received, according to the investigation.

Two Lycamobile sales reps resold them to shops in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.

The prepaid cards and their top-ups were resold on the “ethnic market” of North African, African and Indo-Pakistani communities wishing to call abroad.

“This procedure shows very clearly that filter companies and construction companies have organized and implemented a system to remunerate work concealed by a game of SIM card resales without the knowledge of Lycamobile”, a company spokesperson has told the AFP.

“We cannot therefore hold Lycamobile responsible for the implementation of this illegal scheme which is totally foreign to it”, adds the spokesperson.

The court will examine suspicions of VAT fraud through the “misuse” of an existing legal derogatory regime in the telephone sector.

The prosecution considers that, via an “arrangement” between the two sister companies, Lycamobile Services improperly resold the telephone products, purchased all taxes included (TTC) from Lycamobile France, at a price excluding tax (HT), which allowed it to claim VAT refunds.

Lycamobile France, Lycamobile Services, as well as Alain Jochimek, managing director of the two companies, are tried for laundering or misuse of corporate assets and concealed work in an organized gang.

Lycamobile Services and Alain Jochimek are tried for VAT fraud.

Eight other defendants are tried for one or the other offence, suspected of having played a role in the scheme.

News

At least 12 injured in accident near expressway entrance

Published

5 hours ago

May 8, 2025

editor

At least 12 people were injured when a van collided with a parked container truck on the Matara-Akuressa main road, near the Palatuwa entrance to the Southern Expressway.
The injured were admitted to the Matara General Hospital for treatment.

According to the police, the van was carrying a group of residents from Matara who were returning from Katunayake Airport.Malimbada Police are conducting further investigations.

News

SL delegation attends inaugural WAVES summit

Published

5 hours ago

May 8, 2025

editor

A delegation from Sri Lanka comprising of professionals from the fields of music, filmmaking, acting, film production & distribution, animation and gaming participated in the inaugural edition of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

WAVES 2025, a flagship initiative envisioned by the Hon. Prime Minister of India, brought together leading voices from across the globe – industry veterans, policymakers, and creative professionals – fostering cross-border dialogue, creativity, and commercial collaboration. The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India on May 1, 2025.

At WAVES 2025, the Global Media Dialogue culminated in the adoption of the WAVES Declaration, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural collaboration and responsible storytelling in a rapidly evolving global media environment. Participating nations recognized the power of films and individual stories in bridging divides and promoting peace. The dialogue underscored the importance of using technology responsibly, enhancing youth skill development, and fostering global co-productions, with India leading initiatives like the Create in India challenges to promote multilingual creative talent worldwide.

The Sri Lankan delegation actively participated in discussions, exhibitions, and networking events that spanned the full spectrum of the industry, including cinema, digital entertainment, animation, and gaming. The experience was highly enriching for all participants, who gained valuable insights and exposure to cutting-edge trends and collaborative opportunities in the global media landscape.

WAVES 2025 marked a significant step toward deepening regional ties in media and entertainment, offering a dynamic platform for talent exchange, co-productions, and sustainable industry growth globally.

Entertainment

Restored 4K version of ‘Gehenu Lamai’ to premiere at 2025 Cannes Festival

Published

5 hours ago

May 8, 2025

editor

‘Gehenu Lamai’, directed by the late Dr. Sumitra Peries, will be screened next week in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from May 13 to May 24 in Cannes, France, under the Cannes Classics category.

Released in 1978, ‘Gehenu Lamai’ is a Sri Lankan Sinhala teenage drama film directed by Sumitra Peries and produced by her husband, Lester James Peries, for Lester Films.

The restoration of ‘Gehenu Lamai’ was undertaken by the Film Heritage Foundation in association with the Dr. Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation. It was funded by a grant provided by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and the Embassy of France in India, under the aegis of FISCH (France- India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage).

Sumitra Peries, the first female filmmaker in Sri Lanka and wife of Dr. Lester James Peries, also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France in the 1990s. She was decorated as a Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government.

Born in 1934, she emerged to stardom in the country with over 10 films to her credit and expertise as a screenwriter, director, producer, and editor.

In a triumph for Sri Lanka’s film heritage, Sumitra Peries’ “Gehenu Lamai” (1978) restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation has been selected for a world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2025.

The film has been restored under the aegis of FISCH: France- India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders – a pioneering international collaboration between Film Heritage Foundation, the Embassy of France and the French Institute in India and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, dedicated to restoring and preserving cinematic heritage.

The selection of “Gehenu Lamai” for the 78th Cannes Film Festival marks the fourth year in a row that Film Heritage Foundation is returning to Cannes Classic, but its first with a Sri Lankan film.

Film Heritage Foundation’s earlier restorations – Aravindan Govindan’s “Thamp”, Aribam Syam Sharma’s “Ishanou” and Shyam Benegal’s “Manthan” had red-carpet world premieres at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Recognized as the Outstanding Film of the Year at the 1978 London Film Festival, the debut film of Sumitra Peries – referred to as the Poetess of Sri Lankan Cinema – tells the heartbreaking tale of two young sisters in a Sri Lankan village whose romantic dreams and aspirations are crushed by the class barrier and the conflict between tradition and progress. The poetic black and white imagery beautifully captures the confusion and fragility of adolescent love and yearning coupled with an outstanding performance by a 16 year-old Wasanthi Chathurani as Kusum in her debut role.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)