Visa outsourcing fiasco takes a new turn

Some funds are being credited to accounts in foreign banks 

• The MPs told a press briefing that they will reveal the names of account holders in the near future

By Yohan Perera   

Three opposition MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem and M. A. Sumanthiran who had filed petitions with Supreme Court yesterday said they have received information that payments have been credited to accounts held by certain persons in foreign banks.   

The MPs told a press briefing that they will reveal the names of account holders in the near future.   

“We have received information that certain persons have received payments connected with visa outsourcing contract. These funds have been credited to accounts held by certain persons in overseas banks. We will reveal more details including the names of these persons later,” MP Ranawaka said.   

“The scam is ten times worth Rs 2.75 billion and is far worse than the bond scam,” Ranawaka said.   

Asked whether Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chainman Harsha de Silva who initially uncovered in his report support them in their endeavour, MP Ranwaka said all three of them have taken a unilateral decision to file a Fundamental Rights Petition independently. “The COPF chairman only tabled the report in Parliament but he is not involved in our endeavour. He also has to deal with the privilege issue raised against him in the House,” Ranawaka said in this regard.   

MP Hakeem said the main issue with the visa outsourcing fiasco is that the contract has not been signed by VFS Global but with IVS Global Services private Ltd while the ultimate beneficial owners of the company is uncertain.   

MP Hakeem said he and the other two MPs are seeking a restraining order on the VFS deal from Supreme Courts.