A major private bank in Sri Lanka is teetering on the edge of a financial crisis after being defrauded of approximately three billion rupees by the father and son duo who headed a company recently implicated in a high-profile customs tax fraud case. The incident has not only jeopardized the bank’s stability but also raised concerns about regulatory oversight in the financial sector.
The father and son, both dual citizens of a foreign country, fled Sri Lanka shortly after securing a massive loan from the bank. The loan was obtained through fraudulent means, including falsified financial statements that exaggerated the company’s profitability and asset base. Using these deceptive documents, the son purchased a bankrupt company in the United Kingdom for 2.4 billion rupees.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the UK-based company was insolvent, with no tangible assets and a significant debt burden. This discovery has left the Sri Lankan bank exposed to a high-risk loan that may soon default. Financial analysts warn that the bank could face severe liquidity issues if the three billion rupees become a non-performing asset in the coming months.
The fraudulent loan scheme reportedly involved several layers of deception. The father and son not only manipulated financial records but also secured favorable terms by leveraging their connections within the banking sector. Internal sources suggest that the loan was approved despite red flags, raising suspicions of possible collusion or negligence by bank officials.
The acquired UK company was initially presented as a strategic investment that would generate significant returns. However, it quickly became apparent that the company was a shell with no operational capacity or revenue streams. Employees from the Sri Lankan company have come forward, claiming that the father and son siphoned off the loan funds for personal use, further complicating recovery efforts.
Legal experts highlight the difficulty of pursuing legal action against the duo, as both are foreign nationals and have fled to a country with which Sri Lanka lacks an extradition treaty. This limits the government’s ability to bring them back to face charges or recover the embezzled funds. The Sri Lankan authorities are reportedly seeking international legal assistance, but the process is expected to be lengthy and complex.
The bank’s financial health is now under intense scrutiny. Interest payments on the loan have already exceeded the monthly revenue of the fraudulent company, making it increasingly likely that the loan will be classified as a bad debt. If the bank is unable to recover the funds, it may face a liquidity crunch, potentially leading to a downgrade in its credit rating and a loss of depositor confidence.
Financial market insiders warn that the fallout from this fraud could have a cascading effect on Sri Lanka’s banking sector, which is already under pressure due to economic challenges. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the situation and may be forced to intervene to prevent a broader financial crisis.
In a further blow to the company involved in the fraud, both the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) have tendered their resignations. Their departure has left the company without key leadership at a critical time, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its future.
The government is reportedly considering new regulations to tighten oversight of large loans and improve the monitoring of cross-border financial transactions. Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the incident, accusing the government of failing to prevent large-scale financial fraud and protect the banking sector.
As investigations continue, the scandal has sparked widespread public outrage, with many questioning how such a significant fraud could go undetected until it was too late. Financial analysts and economists are urging swift action to restore confidence in the banking system and prevent similar incidents in the future.
