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2 Sri Lankan former gov't members not allowed to go abroad for bribery charges

Xinhua, January 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lankan former gov't members not allowed to go abroad for bribery charges

COLOMBO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) - Sri Lanka's Immigration Department on Thursday seized the passports of its former central bank governor and a former high profile government member, stating that both were being investigated for bribery charges.

The country's Bribery Commission had ordered the Immigration Department to seize the passports of former central bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and former MP monitoring the affairs of the foreign ministry, Sajin Vaas Gunewardena, in an attempt to prevent them from leaving the country.

Vaas Gunewardena was also the coordinating secretary and a very close ally of former President Mahinda Rajapakse. He was also a one-time CEO of Mihin Lanka, the country's budget airline which has been in severe debt over the past years.

The latest attempt by the Bribery Commission comes amidst a strong government crackdown against the former regime, with the present government, under the leadership of new president Maithripala Sirisena, stating that those who were involved in corruption would be charged.

A high level committee has been set up by the newly elected government to investigate against many former heads of institutions, ministers and the former president and his family.

Bribery complaints had been filed against Cabraal by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the country's minority party supporting the current government, stating that alleged financial frauds had been committed by him.

The JVP had also filed a complaint against the former president 's son and brother. Endi