Financial Ombudsman : a bouquet

Housed at No. 143 A, Vajira Road, Colombo 5, located in a quiet environment brought about by the presence of security personnel with security barriers across the road sealing the area and giving ample protection to schoolchildren attending a reputed girl's school void of vehicular disturbances, the sounding of trumpet horns especially in buses good enough to scare wild animals, as well as other nuisances depicting the necessary features of a "Silence Zone" is the dignified office of the Financial Ombudsman; the official machinery established to resolve financial disputes; probing into matters pertaining to financial irregularities and such complaints lodged by the general public against semi-government and statutory bodies.

The onerous task of resolving such disputes thus meting out natural justice to the aggrieved parties in an equitable manner, rests squarely on the broad shoulders of the lanky figured Mr. Walter Ladduwahetty, a learned ,cultural dynamic personality with a luminous legal background, who adorns the office of the Financial Ombudsman.

With proper decorum, the Financial Ombudsman gives a patient hearing to the aggrieved parties in the presence of the defendants who have been summoned for the inquiry, carefully scrutinising the available documents and the material pertaining to the matter in dispute with the necessary cross examination carried out by him.

The final award is made based on documentary evidence place before him with his observations clearly indicated.

His silent service in resolving financial dispute is very commendable and appreciable Hence the Financial Ombudsman and his secretarial staff deserves a bouquet for their praise worthy work.

G.K. Mandawala, Mount Lavinia