Praseli Suraj and Mayura Dilshan, who had invested money in Onmax DT, which the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has designated as a pyramid scheme, have told the ‘Truth with Chamuditha’ YouTube channel that the same company has been registered in Australia under the same name.
They have said this amidst the Central Bank announcing that investing money in pyramid schemes is a punishable offence under the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988.
Meanwhile, both Praseli and Mayura claimed that Onmax DT Private Company registered in Sri Lanka, which has been declared a pyramid scheme following a Central Bank investigation, is not a pyramid scheme.
They have said this while a case is pending in the Colombo High Court.
Their remarks also challenge the order given by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis directing an American company named ‘Binance.com’, which had invested in OnmaxDT Pvt. Company accused of earning USD 100 million through illegal pyramid schemes, to freeze eight accounts of the company.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate imposed a travel ban on six directors of the Onmax DT, Sampath Sandaruwan, Athula Indika Sampath, Gayashan Abeyratne, Madhuranga Prasanna, Saranga Randika, and Dhananjaya Jayan.
The persons identified as the directors of Onmax DT Private Company registered in Sri Lanka are said to be the ones who introduced the Australian company to Sri Lanka, and they also said that their company is a real estate company.
Mayura is also an activist in Best Life, another company named as a pyramid scheme by the Central Bank.
They alleged that the Central Bank has banned Onmax DT without any investigation.
Remarks made by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on pyramid schemes
The two said the Australian Onmax DT continues its operations.
They are challenging the law in this manner even though the Central Bank has made a request to the Attorney General to file criminal cases against three prohibited pyramid schemes including Onmax DT.
Sri Lanka Customs has refuted social media claims alleging the imposition of a new tax on small parcel imports.
Addressing the media, Customs Media Spokesman and Additional Director Seevali Arukgoda emphasized that no new taxes have been introduced, nor are there any disruptions to the clearance of imported goods.
“We are not increasing tax rates… we are simply ensuring duties are calculated correctly,” he said. “The previous system allowed for significant undervaluation and misuse. Now, we are enforcing the existing laws more transparently.”
He explained that duties are now calculated using the globally accepted Harmonized System (HS) Code, which categorizes goods by type and value, replacing the older method of relying on parcel weight or flat rates that were often exploited.
Arukgoda further assured that no parcels are being withheld and reiterated that rates remain consistent with those approved by Parliament. The changes, he said, were implemented after adequate notice was given to courier services and importers — including a 1.5-month notice period and a 2-week transition phase.
He also noted that there is no requirement for recipients of online orders to visit Customs in person. Courier companies continue to handle delivery and clearance, he added.
The grace period granted to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under Sri Lanka’s Parate Execution Law officially ended midnight yesterday (June 30) for businesses with loans exceeding Rs. 50 million.
The Parate Law grants banks the authority to seize properties pledged as collateral without court proceedings. Although its implementation had been suspended for three months by the current administration—and for six months earlier under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—it has now been reinstated, triggering serious concern among entrepreneurs.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has stated that the government intends to hold discussions with all relevant parties in the coming days to address the issues linked to the law’s reimplementation.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has warned that the re-implementation of the Parate Execution Law could lead to the rapid auctioning of assets from small, medium, and micro businesses, putting them at risk.
In a statement yesterday (June 30), he emphasized that these businesses contribute over 50% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) and employ over 04 million people.
