Questions Mount Over Colombo- British High Commission's Political Adviser as Calls Grow for Probe Into Alleged Interference in VAT-Scam Reporting
In Colombo’s tightly woven political and diplomatic circles, rumours travel quickly. But when those rumours intersect with unresolved financial scandals, media pressure, and the credibility of a foreign diplomatic mission, they can become a matter of public interest that cannot simply be brushed aside.
This week, a growing number of Sri Lankan journalists and civil society observers have called on the British High Commission Colombo to address serious allegations involving one of its political advisers, Insaf Bakeer Markar.
At the centre of the controversy are claims that the adviser allegedly attempted to discourage journalists from publishing reports concerning his family’s alleged historical links to Sri Lanka’s notorious Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud scandal—one of the largest financial scandals to rock the country in the early 2000s.
While no formal investigation has yet been announced, the controversy has sparked questions not only about potential attempts to influence media coverage but also about the due-diligence standards applied by diplomatic missions when hiring locally engaged political staff.
The Shadow of the VAT Scandal
Sri Lanka’s VAT fraud scandal remains one of the most infamous financial crimes in the island’s modern history. Investigations revealed that millions of rupees were siphoned from government tax refunds through fraudulent claims and manipulation of tax documentation.
Several individuals were prosecuted and convicted over the scheme, while others were questioned by investigators attached to the Criminal Investigation Department Sri Lanka. The case was politically explosive because it exposed systemic weaknesses in tax administration and alleged protection networks involving influential figures.
Now, more than two decades later, the scandal appears to be resurfacing in an unexpected context: the diplomatic corridors of Colombo.
Journalists who recently began examining historical court records and investigative files claim they discovered references to members of the family of political adviser Insaf Bakeer Markar being questioned during earlier phases of the investigation.
Some reports further allege that one family member avoided extensive questioning after political intervention during the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. These claims have not been independently verified, but they are now part of renewed scrutiny.
Allegations of Pressure on Journalists
The current controversy began after several journalists privately disclosed that they were approached regarding articles they were preparing about the VAT case and its alleged family connections.
According to these journalists, they were informally requested to reconsider publishing details linking the adviser’s relatives to the historical scandal.
One editor familiar with the situation described the approach as “unusual and inappropriate.”
“Diplomatic officials do sometimes clarify facts before publication,” the editor said. “But asking journalists not to publish an investigative report because it involves family members raises serious ethical questions.”
Another journalist said the request created concern that a representative of a foreign diplomatic mission might be attempting to shape or suppress local reporting.
None of the journalists involved have publicly identified themselves, but several independent media figures say similar conversations have occurred.
A Question for the British Mission
The controversy has placed the spotlight squarely on the British High Commission Colombo.
Diplomatic missions typically employ locally engaged political advisers to assist with political analysis, policy briefings, and liaison with local institutions. These roles require access to sensitive information and close interaction with journalists, political figures, and civil society actors.
Critics argue that these responsibilities also demand a high standard of transparency and personal integrity.
“If the allegations are accurate, this becomes a conflict of interest,” said one Colombo-based political analyst. “A political adviser connected—directly or indirectly—to individuals implicated in a major financial crime could undermine the credibility of the diplomatic mission.”
The issue is not merely reputational. The United Kingdom has long positioned itself as a supporter of media freedom, anti-corruption initiatives, and rule-of-law reforms in Sri Lanka.
For that reason, observers say the High Commission must address the matter quickly and transparently.
Calls for an Internal Inquiry
Several journalists’ associations and media activists have suggested that the British mission conduct an internal review to determine:
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Whether the adviser contacted journalists regarding publication of VAT-related reports.
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Whether such communication constituted an attempt to discourage or suppress reporting.
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Whether the adviser disclosed any potential conflicts of interest related to family members involved in past investigations.
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What vetting procedures were used when the adviser was recruited.
Diplomatic missions often rely on background checks and security clearances when hiring staff, but the extent of those procedures for locally engaged political advisers is not always publicly known.
Transparency advocates say this case may test the strength of those safeguards.
A Diplomatic Sensitivity
The situation also carries diplomatic sensitivity.
The United Kingdom remains an influential partner in Sri Lanka’s governance reform programmes, often supporting anti-corruption initiatives, judicial training, and democratic institutions.
If a senior political adviser were perceived to be interfering in media coverage about corruption allegations—even historic ones—it could undermine that broader agenda.
A former diplomat familiar with British missions in South Asia explained the stakes:
“Diplomatic credibility depends heavily on perception. If there is even a suggestion that a staff member is attempting to shield personal interests from scrutiny, the mission will want to address it quickly.”
The Silence So Far
As of now, the British High Commission Colombo has not issued a public statement regarding the allegations involving Insaf Bakeer Markar.
Likewise, the adviser himself has not publicly responded to claims that he attempted to discourage journalists from publishing the reports.
In the absence of clarification, speculation has begun to circulate widely across Sri Lankan media circles and online platforms.
Why Transparency Matters
The issue is not only about one individual or one historical scandal. It touches on broader principles:
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the independence of journalism
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accountability within diplomatic institutions
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and public trust in anti-corruption advocacy.
Sri Lanka’s media community has fought for decades to maintain space for investigative reporting, often under difficult circumstances. Any perception that external diplomatic actors might influence that space—especially over corruption reporting—raises understandable concern.
The Next Step
For many observers, the solution is straightforward.
A transparent clarification from the British High Commission Colombo—explaining whether the allegations have been examined and whether any internal review is underway—could quickly settle the matter.
Until then, the questions will remain.
Was there an attempt to quietly suppress reporting on a decades-old financial scandal?
Were journalists improperly approached?
And if so, how does a diplomatic mission committed to transparency respond?
In the world of diplomacy, silence can sometimes be interpreted as indifference. In a case touching on corruption, media freedom, and institutional credibility, many in Sri Lanka believe silence is not an option.