It is reported that the Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa has left the country after learning about the arrival of Allirajah Subaskaran, a Sri Lankan national and owner of the British Lyca Mobile Group, which was severely criticized by the Opposition during the days of the good governance government.
Weerawansa has left the country yesterday (08) to attend the 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Industrial Development (RCID) 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia while Subaskaran arrived in the island on Sunday (07).
It is reported that the South Asian countries are not so interested in this conference which is mainly being attended by the Ministers of Industries of the member countries of the Asia Pacific region of UNIDO.
The conference is organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Industry in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
It will be held on the 10th and 11th under the theme “Accelerating Industries for Sustainable Industrialization”.
Wimal Weerawansa, who was an Opposition MP during the good governance government, held a press conference on February 10, 2019 and said that those in the good governance government who will allow Allirajah to come to this country and do business, will be punished under the government he represents.
However, there are rumors in the industry that Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s departure was spurred due to the visit of Allirajah, who is in Sri Lanka to expand his business.
Tight security…
It is reported that Allirajah is currently at the Taj Samudra Hotel under tight security.
A weekend newspaper had earlier revealed that a monk close to the President was planning to seek the help of the Tamil Diaspora and it is reported that Subaskaran has arrived in Sri Lanka as part of the relevant plan.
Subaskaran a money laundering machine?
Meanwhile, the ‘Mawbima’ newspaper has reported today (09) that Subhashkaran has been accused of serious international money laundering.
It further states that he had bought the properties of the ‘Edirisinghe Trust Investment Companies’ group, including Swarnavahini Media Network, during the previous good governance government.
Despite the findings by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the company’s irregularities that led to the sale of these properties which he had obtained illegally, his return to Sri Lanka has created a problematic situation.
He is accused of pumping in money for the Tamil Diaspora.
Function for VIPs
Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that he has also acquired the ownership of the ‘Jaffna Stallions’ team participating in the LPL tournament. He is also said to have arrived in the country through the Katunayake Airport VIP terminal.
He had also organized a function for VIPs at a five star hotel on Sunday which was said to have been attended by several prominent VIPs including politicians.
It is also learned that he had flown to the Puthukudiirippu area in the North yesterday (08) and performed a pooja at a famous temple there.
Although there were higher bids made for the purchase of the bankrupt EAP by a local businessman, the powers that be of the previous good governance government paved the way for Subaskaran to purchase it.
Subaskaran, who maintains ties with the Tamil Diaspora in Europe, has been accused by many countries of money laundering.
His Lyca Mobile Company has also been blacklisted in many countries and several sanctions have been imposed on his group of companies.
It is reported that as a result, many countries have denied him entry.
Allirajah Subhashkaran was born in 1972 in Mulliyawali, Mullaitivu. He started Lycamobile in 2006 and is now a big businessman in the UK.
He owns Lycamobile Productions, which was established in 2008 and has produced a number of Tamil films.
His net worth is currently estimated at £160 million (approximately Rs. 28,793 million).
Subhashkaran is said to be the 640th richest person in the UK.