October 1, 2006 (LBO) – In another twist to the continuing GoldQuest controversy, remaining officials of the anti-pyramiding unit, that probed the GoldQuest case have been transferred for better career prospects, and to complete other urgent work, senior central bank officials said. "We established the Unit to carry out investigations without disrupting the work of other department, though it has been closed, the urgent work has been completed, "Central Bank, Assistant Governor Y M W B Weerasekera told mediamen. Responding to questions whether the Special Investigation Unit had been closed because of the newly appointed Governor, Nivard Cabraal's alleged links to GoldQuest, Weerasekera said he was not aware of such links.
"We do not know of such things," Weerasekera told mediamen in Sinhalese.
"It is not fair to ask such questions from me."
Weerasekera was chairing the first media conference held at the central bank headquarters premises, since the new governor took office.
Sri Lanka's main opposition called for a parliamentary inquiry after media reports that Cabraal's family financial firm Capital Reach, had been funded by the GoldQuest group, and his appointment may stop the investigations.
Cabraal had denied wrongdoing.
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