Unless and until a written assurance is provided by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka that the Golden Key depositors funds would be returned to them, the case before the Supreme Court which has been dragging on for around six years would not be withdrawn, says the Golden Key Depositors’ Association chairperson Ms. Dushyanthi Hapugoda.

While speaking to www.adaderanabiz.lk, Ms. Hapugoda said though the Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake had told them recently that their moneys would be repaid once this case is withdrawn, they cannot withdraw the case unless a written assurance is given.

Dushyanthi Hapugoda and 23 others who had deposited money with the Golden Key Credit Card Company which went bankrupt had filed a petition on 23 March 2009, before the Supreme Court for the return of their deposits.

Recently, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka would take the responsibility of repaying those who had deposited their money with the now bankrupt Golden Key Credit Card Company belonging to Lalith Kotelawala which had not come under the supervision of the Central Bank.

The Finance Minister had also said that the depositors had agreed to withdraw all the cases against the Golden Key Credit Card Company and its Directors to get back their deposits.

He also said that the Central Bank would begin repaying the depositors through the identified assets of Golden Key Credit Card Company and its Directors and that a fresh investigation would be initiated to identify their other assets.

The Minister had said that those who had deposited up to Rs. 01 million would be repaid within a month and those who had deposited up to Rs. 10 million would be repaid within two months.

The balance was planned to be repaid by end this year.

Dushyanthi Hapugoda said the total amount to be paid thus was some Rs. 26 billion.