Kuttiarachchi accused of running unauthorised banking network

By Saman Indrajith

SLPP MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi has got his relatives to run an unauthorised rural bank, SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri told Parliament on Wednesday.

“This is an illegal act. There is a network of banks. This should be stopped. These banks have not been recognised by the Central Bank or the Monetary Board,” the MP said.

Responding to MP Wijesiri’s question, State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that there was no bank by the name of Rural Capital Bank. “If anyone uses the word cooperative in the name of their bank, then our ministry can check on it. Otherwise, this should be checked and further action should be taken by the Central Bank,” the minister said.

“There is a network of banks by that name. It belongs to MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi, and his relatives run the bank. Managers of the branches are his relatives. The network has 171 branches countrywide. People do not know that this is an illegal bank. Why has the government given him permission to run this illegal business,” MP Wijesiri queried.

Minister Alagiyawanna said that there was no such bank under the line ministry and those banks may operate under the provincial councils. “I do not know about such banks. We will look into it. We should get together to inform the Central Bank of these banks,” the Minister said.