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FCID to probe Manilal Fernando’s bank accounts
The Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) has obtained a court order from Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya to investigate the accounts of four private banks in Colombo over the alleged fraudulent dealings of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) former Chairman of the Management Committee Manilal Fernando and Chief Executive Officer Chrishantha Perera committed during 2006 to 2014.
The FCID sought the Court’s order to investigate the accounts in the Colombo branches of Commercial Bank, HNB, Standard Chartered Bank and State Bank of India.
The FCID in their report asserted that former Chairman Ranjith Rodrigo, who was then the President of the FFSL on May 7 had complained to FCID that according to an audit carried out by the Government Auditor it had recorded the fraud committed by the suspects and to investigate the matter.
The FCID said according to the investigations it had revealed that 40,000 Euros given to the Federation by the Italian Football players for the renovation of the Kalutara playground was fraudulently deposited in Mr. Fernando’s Colpetty Commercial Bank Account No 1110024098 by Chrishantha Perera.
The Division also alleged that on May 12, 2008 the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had given the FFSL US$ 60,000 as aid for hosting the Pakistan Football Tournament. Chrishantha Perera had prepared bogus standing orders to the banks which credited the funds to Manilal Fernanado’s Commercial Bank A/c No 1110001533.
The Division further said after the Tsunami disaster, in 2006 Holcim (Private) Ltd., had donated Rs. 10 million to the FFSL to repair the damaged houses. From that Rs. 10 million, Chrishantha Perera had fraudulently paid Rs. 5 million to Manilal Fernanado.
The Division also stated that in 2008, Sri Lanka had hosted the South Asian Football Tournament and the AFC in May and October 2008 had offered to pay US$200,000 to the FFSL. From that amount the AFC had paid US$160000 to the FFSL in October, which was deposited in the Standard Chartered Bank account No 02119008902 and a subsequent payment of US $ 40,000 made to the Federation had been fraudulently deposited in Manilal Fernando’s Commercial Bank account No 25160003710201.
The Police said the suspects had committed offences punishable under Sections 386, 388 and 403 of the Penal Code and Section 5 of the Money Laundering Act of 2006. Magistrate Gihan Pilapitya ordered the FCID to investigate the complaint and file a report in court.
The Division also alleged that on May 12, 2008 the AFC had given the Sri Lanka Football Federation US$ 60,000 as aid for hosting the SAF Football Championship. (Farook Thajudeen)
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