Who is responsible for errant financial institutions?
There are many helpless depositors who have placed their retirement benefits in a collapsed financial institution belonging to the Ceylinco Group. When the Central Bank appointed the managing agent to the said company depositors were very happy because they thought that their money was safe under the new management of the Lanka Puthra Development Bank. But they were disappointed very soon over the manner in which they acted since they re-issued fixed deposit certificates to the customers under the new interest rate which was lower than the non savings rate at that time. However, under this new rate customers were not paid even their monthly interest. Presently, the CIRL (known as Standard Finance) is being managed by the MBCL, a subsidiary of the Bank of Ceylon. However, it is regrettable to state that this particular financial institution even under the management of the MBCL has not taken any action to pay neither the monthly interest nor the capital amount to the innocent depositors. Although this underperforming financial company has changed its name in order to increase its deposit base it failed since the public have lost confidence over finance companies. Finally, they delivered share certificates to the customers' doorsteps without taking their written consent to the new proposal under which they suggested to the depositors to pay 60 percent of their deposits through share certificates. the Central Bank boasts that our banking system is stable. What can they say about this financial institution? When will the depositors of this financial institution receive their hard-earned money? How could they sell their share certificates since the company has still not been listed in the stock market? Why can't the Central Bank take any action regarding this matter since it is a registered financial institution according to the notice of the Central Bank?