Tamil Eelam bank operates without SL Govt. approval - Minister

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2003, 12:02 GMT]
"Neither the Central Bank of Sri Lanka nor the Ministry of Finance of Government of Sri Lanka has given approval for the functioning of the Tamil Eelam Bank, several branches of which are located in the Liberation Tigers controlled areas," said United National Front government’s Finance Minister, Mr.K.N.Choksy, during discussions in Sri Lanka parliament today, political sources from Colombo said.

Mr.Choksy was answering to a question posed by Peoples' Alliance (PA) parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardene who alleged that a Sri Lanka Government Bank has issued a circular implying legitimacy to Tamil Eelam Bank. Mr. Gunawardene also indicated that Tamil Eelam Bank branches are operating in Trincomalee and Sampoor.

"Sri Lanka Government does not accept the legality of the Tamil Eelam Bank, and we have not given permission to members of the public to maintain accounts or to conduct transactions with the Tamil Eelam Bank.

"If the alleged circular issued by the said Sri Lanka Bank is true, then we will investigate the matter and will take appropriate action," said Minister Choksy.