Sri Lanka’s Stolen Millions: Trump Pardons Imaad Zuberi

Convicted fundraiser who took millions from Sri Lanka walks free after Trump clemency

Who Is Imaad Zuberi and Why Should Sri Lanka Care?

Imaad Zuberi, a US venture capitalist and political fundraiser, has had his 12-year prison sentence fully commuted by former US President Donald Trump. Zuberi was convicted in 2021 for multiple financial crimes, including stealing millions from the Sri Lankan government during a controversial 2014 lobbying deal.

How Did Sri Lanka Lose $6.5 Million?

In 2014, under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka hired Zuberi to help improve its international image after the civil war. The government agreed to pay him $8.5 million over six months.

According to the US Department of Justice:

Sri Lanka wired $6.5 million to Zuberi

Over $5.65 million was used for Zuberi’s personal benefit

Just under $850,000 was spent on actual lobbying or PR work

Funds were diverted into brokerage accounts and real estate

No Cabinet or Parliamentary Oversight

The payments to Zuberi were reportedly made through the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, bypassing both Cabinet approval and Parliament. This lack of oversight raised serious concerns and was exposed by the Sunday Times in 2014–2015.

Zuberi’s Wider Crimes

Zuberi was not only involved in misappropriating Sri Lankan funds. He was also convicted of:

Acting as an unregistered foreign agent

Falsifying records to conceal lobbying activities

Evading millions in US taxes

Making illegal political donations

Obstructing a federal investigation

These charges led to a 12-year federal prison sentence in the US.

On May 22, 2025, Donald Trump issued an “Executive Grant of Clemency,” fully commuting Zuberi’s sentence. The order included:

Immediate release

No further prison time

No fines, restitution, or probation

Zuberi is now a free man with no outstanding penalties.

Why This Matters for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is unlikely to recover the stolen $6.5 million

No legal or political accountability has occurred locally

The original deal, meant to boost Sri Lanka’s image, ended in scandal

The case reflects broader issues of financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in government contracts

What Comes Next?

As of now, there is no indication that the Sri Lankan government plans to reopen investigations or pursue recovery of the funds. However, civil society groups are calling for:

A full audit of foreign lobbying contracts

A parliamentary investigation into Central Bank dealings

Legal action against those responsible

Public Response and Accountability

The Zuberi case highlights the risks of unchecked executive power and opaque financial arrangements. Sri Lankans are left asking:

Will anyone in Sri Lanka be held accountable for this deal?