I’m ready to face any investigation – Tiran
Former Minister – Tiran Alles says he is unconcerned about the complaint filed against him with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) by the People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA) National Executive Member – Duminda Nagamuwa, over alleged undeclared offshore investments.
Speaking to BBC Sinhala, Mr. Alles said he is ready to face any investigation in this regard.
“Duminda Nagamuwa once held a press conference and claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and I had offshore investments in Malta. I complained to the CID in this regard. They asked him to appear, but he didn’t turn up. Finally, the CID informed the court that Nagamuwa had not turned up. This is a similar incident. Therefore, I don’t take such stories seriously, nor do I bother to respond to them,” he has said.
During a media briefing in Aug. 2023, Mr. Nagamuwa had previously alleged that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and then Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles had jointly made offshore investments in an European business venture.
Complaint filed with CIABOC
In their complaint with CIABOC, the PSA has charged Mr. Alles of having 02 offshore investments in violation of the Exchange Control Act.
According to the complaint lodged on Oct. 14, he is alleged to have invested GBP 1,550,000 and GBP 1,400,100 in 02 companies registered in the British Virgin Islands – Banham Ventures Ltd. and Brompton Properties Ltd.
The complaint also refers that these investments were revealed in the ‘Pandora Papers’ by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
Pandora Papers revelations
In 2023, the ICIJ identified Tiran Alles as the first Sri Lankan minister to appear in its Pandora Papers database, which exposed global figures linked to offshore assets.
The papers revealed that Mr. Alles, a media organization owner and politician, held ownership of 02 companies in the British Virgin Islands.
According to the Pandora Papers, Brompton Properties Ltd. owned an apartment in an affluent area in London, which was purchased in 2006 for aroundUSD 960,000.
It further noted that Banham Ventures Ltd. also owned a property near Chelsea since 2008.
“We handed over documentary evidence”
Commenting to BBC Sinhala on the complaint, Duminda Nagamuwa has said that the PSA had provided documentary evidence to support the complaint.
“We provided several documents along with the complaint, including substantial information related to his overseas properties,” Mr. Nagamuwa said.
The PSA has requested the CIABOC to pay urgent attention to its complaint as a start to investigating illegal offshore investments, which have had a severe impact on the Sri Lankan economy.
(Source: BBC Sinhala)
