Ajith Nivard Cabraal released from a case

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered the release of former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from a private plaint following the petitioner’s decision to withdraw the petition.   

Ven.Thiniyawala Palitha Thera had filed a private plaint over alleged financial irregularities which took place while Cabraal was serving as the Central Bank Governor in 2014.    President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appearing for the complainant sought court’s permission to withdraw the private plaint citing technical issues. However, the petitioner reserved his rights to file a fresh application in due course.    Taking into consideration the facts, the Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered to release Ajith Nivard Cabraal from the case. 

 
The private plaint had been filed by Ven.Thiniyawala Palitha Thera in terms of section 136(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act.   

The petitioner alleged that Sri Lankan government, when Ajith Nivard Cabral was functioning as the Central Bank Governor in 2014 had paid US$ 6.5 million through the Central Bank to an American businessman named Imaad Shah Zuberi, who was a CIA mole, to buy influence and fix its image in the US. The petitioner further said US Court has held that out of the said money given to him on behalf of Sri Lankan Taxpayers, US$ 5.6 million or 80% of it had been spent on himself and his wife. The petitioner said former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has paid the sum of US$ 6.5 million without having prior approval from the parliament, Cabinet of Ministers in violation of Article 150 of the constitution.