News

US wants SL Bondholder lawsuit be put on hold

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2023

editor

The US Government has said a bondholder’s lawsuit filed against Sri Lanka over its historic debt default should be put on hold.

In a statement of interest filed yesterday (2) in New York Federal Court, the US backed the Sri Lankan Government’s request to delay a lawsuit by Hamilton Reserve Bank Ltd. seeking full payment and accrued interest on more than USD 250 million in bonds that came due in July 2022.

The US said the delay would help with ongoing restructuring talks between Sri Lanka and other creditors.

Sri Lanka fell into default in May 2022 after the expiration of a 30-day grace period for missed interest payments on two of its sovereign bonds, the first debt default by the country since it gained independence in 1948. Hamilton Bank sued Sri Lanka in July 2022.

Sri Lanka in July asked US District Judge Denise Cote to put the case on hold for six months. Cote had put her decision on hold until the US decided whether or not to file a statement of interest.

The French and UK Governments previously asked the court to put the suit on hold.

The two countries said in a Sept. 6 letter that they were writing as members of the Paris Club, an informal group of official creditors that help coordinate repayments for struggling debtor nations.

They said delaying the case was “key to ensuring the success of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) supported assistance programme” for the nation.

Sri Lanka recently announced the completion of its local debt restructuring plan and is now engaging with other holders of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt, including China and India.

Hamilton Reserve has opposed the bid to postpone the proceedings, saying that putting them on hold “would be both contrary to US policy interests and an exercise in futility.”

The case is Hamilton Reserve Bank v. Sri Lanka, 22-cv-5199, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

(Bloomberg)

News

Court summons ex-AGM of People’s bank over major fraud

Published

47 minutes ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Attorney General has filed a case against one Vithanage Don Dayananda, a former Assistant General Manager (AGM) at People’s Bank head office, for allegedly preparing and using a forged document related to a Rs.2,000 million personal guarantee bond.

Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne has fixed the case (HC 39/2019) for trial on October 30. When the case was called on July 01, the accused had appeared in court.

It is alleged that around June 01, 2006, in Colombo, the accused knowingly prepared a forged document purporting to show that a personal guarantee bond, allegedly signed and dated July 27, 1995, by directors of Yashoda Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.had been submitted to the bank’s head office.

Despite being well aware that the document was a forged one, he had allegedly presented it as genuine evidence during the Commercial High Court Case No. 122/2004.

Therefore, the Attorney General has charged him under Section 459 of the Penal Code.

Related News :

Court orders CID to probe Rs.90 mn. fraud at People’s Bank

News

2nd round of Grade 06 admission appeals open online today

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education has announced that online appeals for the second round of Grade 06 admissions in 2025, based on the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results, can be submitted from today (July 03) until July 17.

Parents or guardians can submit appeals for up to three schools by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Education at www.moe.gov.lk or directly via the extension at g6application.moe.gov.lk.

News

Several showers expected today

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 03), the Department of Meteorology said.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Meanwhile, fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.