Sri Lanka’s finance minister pledged that “there will be no questions asked” on undeclared funds kept in Swiss bank accounts, as he appealed to Sri Lankan citizens to transfer cash back into the country.
With Sri Lanka having faced a fall in official reserves, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, appealed to those who have kept cash abroad to bring funds back to the island in order to shore up reserves.
“We can offer a considerable interest rate,” said Mr Karunanayake. “We will ask no questions. In fact we will provide measures to make them feel safer.”
The minister said that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has reportedly kept funds in foreign bank accounts, would also be privy to the amnesty.
"The perception of the country has changed," added the minister. "What is needed is confidence and we have that in place now."