Former Minister Tiran Alles has hit back at fresh allegations made against him in the Pandora Papers scandal, saying he is prepared to face any investigation into offshore properties linked to his name. The remarks come after the People’s Struggle Alliance lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission, reigniting a controversy that has stirred public debate about corruption and accountability.
On October 14, the People’s Struggle Alliance filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against the former Minister of Public Security. The complaint alleged that Alles had invested £1,550,000 in Bahama Ventures Limited and £1,400,100 in Brompton Properties, two companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. According to the complainants, these investments violated Sri Lanka’s Exchange Act. Supporting documents were reportedly handed over with the complaint to strengthen the case.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) had previously identified Alles as the first Sri Lankan minister with foreign assets revealed in the Pandora Papers database. The revelations, made public in 2023, claimed that Alles owned two companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Through these companies, he was linked to high-value real estate holdings in London. Brompton Properties Ltd allegedly owned an apartment in an upscale London neighborhood, purchased in 2006 for around $960,000. Meanwhile, Bahama Ventures Ltd was said to hold a property in Chelsea since 2008.
These revelations were particularly sensitive because they surfaced while Alles was serving as Minister of Public Security. Critics argued that a serving minister having undisclosed foreign assets raised serious ethical and legal questions. The Pandora Papers, which exposed a global network of offshore wealth linked to politicians, business leaders, and celebrities, provided the context for the accusations.
Addressing the controversy, Jana Aragala Sandhaya’s National Executive Member Duminda Nagamuwa said that the complaint submitted to the Bribery Commission was backed by evidence. “We handed over some documents in relation to the complaint and handed over a certain amount of information in relation to his properties,” Nagamuwa said. He also emphasized that the Bribery Commission should treat this case as urgent, pointing out the broader economic consequences of illicit offshore investments that have drained resources from Sri Lanka.
When approached for comment, Tiran Alles strongly dismissed the allegations. He said, “Tell me to do any investigation, I am ready to face any investigation.” The former minister claimed that political opponents had attempted to smear his name with baseless accusations. He also accused Duminda Nagamuwa of hypocrisy, pointing out that Nagamuwa had previously made unsubstantiated claims about him and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“Once, Duminda Nagamuwa held a press conference and said that President Anura Dissanayake and I had invested money in Malta together. I complained to the CID about it. The CID asked him to come, but he did not come. Finally, the CID reported the facts to the court that he would not come. I do not care about such stories. I will not respond to them,” Alles stated.
In August 2023, Nagamuwa, who also serves as the Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, alleged at a media conference that Alles and the JVP were jointly investing in a business venture on a European island. Those claims never led to a formal investigation, but Alles maintains that they were part of an ongoing campaign to damage his reputation.
Alles’s defiant response highlights the sharp divisions surrounding the case. On one hand, anti-corruption campaigners view the Pandora Papers as hard evidence of illicit activity, demanding swift accountability and legal action. On the other, Alles portrays himself as the victim of political mudslinging, arguing that his critics have failed to substantiate their accusations in court.
The Pandora Papers revelations continue to reverberate in Sri Lanka, where public frustration with corruption runs high. Offshore holdings and hidden wealth remain politically explosive topics, particularly as the country struggles with economic recovery and financial transparency issues. While the Bribery Commission reviews the latest complaint, the case of Tiran Alles is likely to remain a focal point in Sri Lanka’s ongoing debate over political accountability, foreign investments, and the rule of law.
Whether the investigations will lead to formal charges or fade amid political wrangling remains to be seen. For now, Alles has made his position clear: he insists he has nothing to hide and is prepared to face any inquiry that comes his way.
