Touchwood Case Review

seyon

seyon

Assistant Vice President - Equity Analytics

Posts : 783
Join date : 2011-02-01

Unofficial information that the expected Touchwood case against Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board(SLAASMB) next hearing will be on 26th May 2011. Yes everyone looking the favorable outcome. Today, there are rumors that outcome will be favorable to the company and some brokers recommend to buy at current price. I could see some collection (about 820,000 shares) was made @ 23.60 levels.

I just did some research on the Touchwood Case. It looks like decision will be favorable to company. (This is not a promotion, just merely to getting your views. To be honest I do not have TWOD shares at the moment.)

We all know about the case related to the valuation of biological assets. I extracted some facts from SLAASMB website of case information to start from beginning.

The Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board has determined that the estimates of fair value of biological assets used by Touchwood Investments Limited in its financial statements for the years ended 31 March 2005 and 31 March 2006 are clearly unreliable. The Company has also not been able to provide the Board with any other estimates which are reliable. Further, the method of valuation used for the year ended 31 March 2005 was not in accordance with International Accounting Standard, IAS 41 Agriculture, which the company has purportedly adopted.

As the company has purportedly adopted International Accounting Standard, IAS 41 Agriculture, the Board has concluded that the biological assets should have been valued at a value which approximates cost in accordance with paragraph 24 (b) of IAS 41 or at cost less accumulated impairment in accordance with paragraph 30 of IAS 41. Based on such valuation the company would not show a net profit for the relevant financial periods.

As the impact on the financial statements is substantial the Board has decided to refer the non-compliance to the Attorney General. The Board has also decided to investigate the compliance with auditing standards by the auditors in relation to the audit of the financial statements of the Company.

Based on the above information I can see in the absence of Sri Lanka Accounting Standards, company uses International Accounting Standards 41, Agriculture for the valuation of biological assets. But SLAASMB argument is that estimates of fair value of the biological assets in not accordance with IAS 41 and the financial statements are unreliable.

Further I have received BASL News Letter (Bar Association) of December 2010, there talked about some legal judgment (I attached the newsletter in our research forum http://research.srilankaequity.com/t96-touchwood-case-basl-bar-association-news-letter-judgement-views , refer page 4 for the Touchwood case). There they briefed about the case and given their views. Based on that, Board had not statutory power to challenge the valuation of the Petitioner on non compliance with IAS 41.

Further company received the Certificate of Compliance by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka for the Annual Report Awards 2010. This certificates covers the CSR, Financial, Presentation and Compliance. Therefore, this reveals that the company practice in valuing biological assets in accordance with IAS 41 as the certificated awarded by ICASL which is the statutory for setting the Accounting Standards

Followings extract from Touchwood website

Certificate Of Compliance

January 24th 2011

We are proud to announce that our Sri Lankan office, Touchwood Investments PLC has been awarded the “CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE” by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka for the Annual Report Awards 2010 - at the ceremony held on 7th December 2010.

This award is granted by the Inst. of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka every year. They evaluate and grant awards in key areas such as - CSR, Financials, presentation, compliance, etc.

This certificate emphasizes that all requirements are being met in order for us to achieve our goals and serve our investors with industry leading standards.

For the year to come Touchwood Investments PLC has its goals set on the CSR awards to be handed out in the 2011 ceremony.

Thank you to all our accounting and administration staff who made the award possible.

http://www.touchwood.com/news/certificate-compliance

So Guys, Based on the above information and facts, to me the decision would be favorable to company. How do you all look into that..

Pls Share ur thoughts and views

Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:08 am by Lord Toad · Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:08 am by Lord Toad

There was a meeting of investors in Bangkok last Friday. A lot was said at the meeting in particular there was a report by the organiser of Investors Group. He and others had been to the plantations and he had had a series of meetings in Bangkok. This is the link to the comments now mailed to the investors group

It is not pretty reading I fear.

Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:49 pm by dinga · Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:49 pm by dinga

Lord Toad wrote:There was a meeting of investors in Bangkok last Friday. A lot was said at the meeting in particular there was a report by the organiser of Investors Group. He and others had been to the plantations and he had had a series of meetings in Bangkok. This is the link to the comments now mailed to the investors group

It is not pretty reading I fear.

Indeed it is not pretty reading, but Friday's discussions were even more thought provoking & distressing. I am shortly going to visit what I hope are my trees and will report back.

I initially found the below report astounding, but am now hoping a White Knight is galloping in to swiftly put Baloney to the sword and save us long suffering investors the trouble.

What TWOD 70 Million Foreign Purchase
by K&M Today at 3:36 pm

.foreign Fund bought more than 70 Million shares of touchwood.

Refer the below link

http://Deleted/mubasherFileServer/File.Exchange_English_Reports/deleted%20SWOT%20Report%20-05th%20Mar.pdf

TWOD has become quite a interesting and confusing topic in the recent past, many alleging there business model is fraudulent and its a ponzi scheme. Under all these allegation and difficulties who must have bought this large stake. .

Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:15 pm by Fresher · Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:15 pm by Fresher

there is no white horse

http://forum.srilankaequity.com/t26404-twod-70-million-foreign-purchase#154794

Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:42 pm by K&M · Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:42 pm by K&M

npp wrote:there is no white horse

http://forum.srilankaequity.com/t26404-twod-70-million-foreign-purchase#154794

Well its not virtually certain weather there is a white horse or not.. But i found this information on DU invest SWOT analysis report. Until now all the foreign transaction they reported were right i cross checked it with CSE report.

If you looked at 4th march CSE report there were foreign buying worth Rs 876,418,432. Nearly 450 M of this came from COMB and this report clearly states that and remaining amount is said to be bought by TWOD according to SWOT report.

Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:54 pm by Fresher · Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:54 pm by Fresher

K&M wrote:

npp wrote:there is no white horse

http://forum.srilankaequity.com/t26404-twod-70-million-foreign-purchase#154794

Well its not virtually certain weather there is a white horse or not.. But i found this information on DU invest SWOT analysis report. Until now all the foreign transaction they reported were right i cross checked it with CSE report.

If you looked at 4th march CSE report there were foreign buying worth Rs 876,418,432. Nearly 450 M of this came from COMB and this report clearly states that and remaining amount is said to be bought by TWOD according to SWOT report.

http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_cse_report_file/daily_report_87_04-03-2013.pdf

page 15. Please see how many TWOD shares were traded

Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:56 pm by K&M · Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:56 pm by K&M

I get what your saying this is why im confused too, did you DU invest and its past SWOT report ?

Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:40 pm by dinga · Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:40 pm by dinga

dinga wrote:

Lord Toad wrote:There was a meeting of investors in Bangkok last Friday. A lot was said at the meeting in particular there was a report by the organiser of Investors Group. He and others had been to the plantations and he had had a series of meetings in Bangkok. This is the link to the comments now mailed to the investors group

It is not pretty reading I fear.

Indeed it is not pretty reading, but Friday's discussions were even more thought provoking & distressing. I am shortly going to visit what I hope are my trees and will report back.

I initially found the below report astounding, but am now hoping a White Knight is galloping in to swiftly put Baloney to the sword and save us long suffering investors the trouble.

What TWOD 70 Million Foreign Purchase
by K&M Today at 3:36 pm

.foreign Fund bought more than 70 Million shares of touchwood.

Refer the below link

http://Deleted/mubasherFileServer/File.Exchange_English_Reports/deleted%20SWOT%20Report%20-05th%20Mar.pdf

TWOD has become quite a interesting and confusing topic in the recent past, many alleging there business model is fraudulent and its a ponzi scheme. Under all these allegation and difficulties who must have bought this large stake. .

Seems the reported major foreign investment in TWOD was indeed an error. Looks like we long suffering investors need to get rid of Baloney ourselves. Stay tuned....

Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:08 am by Lord Toad · Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:08 am by Lord Toad

dinga wrote:

Seems the reported major foreign investment in TWOD was indeed an error. Looks like we long suffering investors need to get rid of Baloney ourselves. Stay tuned....

Baloney is clearly 90% of the problem.

In the report of the meeting it was said
"There clearly was over optimism which has led to miss selling and unobtainable promises and goals.
There has also been some appalling management compounded by the fact that Roscoe Maloney wanted to run a fiefdom instead of a business. Anybody working for him had to do his bidding - without question – or risk dismissal. Thus anybody seeing problems was silenced. He surrounded himself with totally unqualified people.
He had a complexity of companies which added to admin problems as well as costs
Ideas which may have been worth investigating were actioned before they were properly considered and rash promises were made.
On top of that he was greedy for both fame and money. He clearly paid himself and his family more that they were worth whilst failing to pay and employ truly competent people in important roles such as forestry management.
If all that adds up to fraud so be it – but in my view it was arrogance backed up by crass incompetence - once he realized it was all was going wrong - he ran away. So he is a coward as well."

For investors in TWOD that should be looked at. I spoke to many past employees of TW and the sentiment of that statement was thoroughly endorsed by all. Balonay is considered as clever and manipulative which meant despite having good ideas he executed them badly and often refused to consider any caution from
others. He needs a strong and professional management team but he just wanted yes men.

The classic was his decision to invest in Cambodia - which it is believed cost TW $8 million. Anybody who knows anything about Cambodia would have said be very careful and do not risk the investment unless you can afford to lose the money. He was sucked in with the same kind of over optimistic promises he makes to his own forestry investors and lost the lot - a fact he refuses to acknowledge - and thus the whole edifice has come crashing down.

My research shows TWOD is a viable concept it just needs some decent management and the first job of new managers would be to take a long hard look and accept the reality of where they are. Hard decisions and hard work can save TWOD - it needs blocker not a stroke player - Baloney is a an ideal 20/20 no 6 - it now needs a test opener.

Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:11 pm by Lord Toad · Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:11 pm by Lord Toad

From a popular Thai news website

Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:10 am by dinga · Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:10 am by dinga

Re: TWOD new case
by Rapaport on Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:51 pm

.3 possible outcomes

1) restructure the comapany and management and this may require debt.

2) Sell stake to another company and move away from management. Most likely issuing new shares

3) Vanik route!

All possibilities will lead a drop in share price

I do not see any other possible positive path to escape current troubles

Company should clarify its position to investors and shareholders

Many directors and management guys have left the company knowing that alot of trouble and possible legal tangles up ahead.

Over to you Mr. Maloney

Cheers!.
Rapaport
Senior Manager - Equity Analytics

Posts: 448
Points: 1380
Join date: 2011-02-01

Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:35 am by dinga · Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:35 am by dinga

Kay2 wrote:

truthful wrote:KPMG was removed by a mandate from the shareholders, at the last AGM

This is true, i have verified this from many.

Please then advise who has been appointed as the replacement auditor (CSE website still shows KPMG as the auditor, and I note that TWOD's Financial Year closes on 30 March 2013).

Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:46 pm by sadikeen · Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:46 pm by sadikeen

TWOD is really in trouble. The cheques issued in SL too bouncing, apparently due to no funds in their bank accounts. What is next ??? Bankrupcy ???

Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:01 pm by Slstock · Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:01 pm by Slstock

Did this happen to you? Any confirmation ?

sadikeen wrote:
TWOD is really in trouble. The cheques issued in SL too bouncing, apparently due to no funds in their bank accounts. What is next ??? Bankrupcy ???

Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:22 pm by sadikeen · Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:22 pm by sadikeen

No not for me but to one of my close friends. I have seen the documents including the advise from the. I have scanned copies with me.

Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:25 pm by sadikeen · Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:25 pm by sadikeen

A correction.

I have seen the documents including the bank advise.

Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:04 pm by **sureshot** · Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:04 pm by **sureshot**

sadikeen r u collecting Twod shares ?

Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:09 am by dinga · Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:09 am by dinga

sureshot wrote:sadikeen r u collecting Twod shares ?

~~Hard~~ impossible to imagine that would be the case. If it is possible to "short" TWOD (doesn't that acronym generates very appropriate mental images....), please let us know how.

How can I find out who is the replacement TWOD auditor? [want to make sure they're aware of possible contingent liabilities]

Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:23 am by sadikeen · Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:23 am by sadikeen

sureshot wrote:sadikeen r u collecting Twod shares ?

Why would I collect shares of a troubled company. I have shared the information after withnessing all relevant documents to the benefit of others. It is upto you to make your decision.

Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:39 pm by dinga · Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:39 pm by dinga

Kay2 wrote:

truthful wrote:KPMG was removed by a mandate from the shareholders, at the last AGM

This is true, i have verified this from many.

FUNNY? Just been looking at the last TWOD (I love that...)Annual Report and Agenda Item 7 for the AGM scheduled for 28/9/2012 was for the re-appointment of KPMG - see .

What happened?????? Who are the new auditors???????

Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:42 pm by Slstock · Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:42 pm by Slstock

If/when they changed auditors, don't they have to report to CSE?

dinga wrote:

Kay2 wrote:

truthful wrote:KPMG was removed by a mandate from the shareholders, at the last AGM

This is true, i have verified this from many.

FUNNY? Just been looking at the last TWOD (I love that...)Annual Report and Agenda Item 7 for the AGM scheduled for 28/9/2012 was for the re-appointment of KPMG - see .

What happened?????? Who are the new auditors???????

Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:56 pm by dinga · Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:56 pm by dinga

slstock wrote:If/when they changed auditors, don't they have to report to CSE?

dinga wrote:

Kay2 wrote:

truthful wrote:KPMG was removed by a mandate from the shareholders, at the last AGM

This is true, i have verified this from many.

FUNNY? Just been looking at the last TWOD (I love that...)Annual Report and Agenda Item 7 for the AGM scheduled for 28/9/2012 was for the re-appointment of KPMG - see .

What happened?????? Who are the new auditors???????

On 15//1/13 I was advised that my concerns had been forwarded to the CSE Regulatory Affairs Division. I have just sent this follow up: Most worryingly, I have heard nothing more on this issue. CSE website still shows KPMG as the TWOD auditor, and the company itself has made no announcements.

Given there are apparently very serious issues concerning TWOD, please urgently examine this matter as it is clearly of material concern to investors.

Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:42 pm by Sanjayacom · Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:42 pm by Sanjayacom

Chinwi wrote:

dinga wrote:G'day

I am an investor, via Touchwood Asia, in bamboo and agarwood trees in Thailand.

Seems the company has closed its office in Bangkok without any notification to investors. I should by now have been paid a modest amount for the 2012 bamboo harvest but am still waiting.

Emails and telephone enquiries to the Colombo HQ remain unanswered. I am told the separate company that maintains the plantations is still operating but frankly my pessimistic side wonders if this will continue given the very bad signals and silence from Touchwood Asia.

Am very concerned about my investments. Appreciate any insights about what is, or may be, happening with Touchwood?

Saa wadi craap. dinga naai.

Khoon kheu krai?

Khoon bpen mai khohn see lan ga chai mai ?

Baawk khwam jing.

Khop khoon kraap.

- Chinwi

Hi Dinga

Touchwood is NOT IN TROUBLE. But the investors are / will be in trouble. Coz Twood evade returns on investments. They give 1001 reasons for not paying the returns. There is no one resposible for your returns. Melonys are bunch of Robbers. This is a green scam!

Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:46 pm by Sanjayacom · Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:46 pm by Sanjayacom

npp wrote:There was someone like you who joined just to complain about the company which hasn't paid. Not wrong considering it's listed and we discuss about listed companies.

But in that case the company responded quickly and promised payment. I don't think you should panic too much and if you are in doubt, you should make it a point to somehow contact them. Calls are unanswered is a bit hard-to-believe. Anyway since it is an important thing, you should probably visit them personally to get a response, instead of posting on public forums.

Touchwood is not in trouble, but investors are in trouble. Twood has defaulted payments / returns of overseas projects. Nice part is there is no one responsible for the default.
Big Melony has quit from his stake in TWOOD.

Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:52 pm by Sanjayacom · Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:52 pm by Sanjayacom

traderathome wrote:we are seeing some strange emails lately...guys where were you......all this time...just joining to post ....show us the proof .........its not right just to complain w/o valid proof that you have invested and your calls were unanswered.

to keep it short and simple....please show...

firstly any documents indicating you are a genuine investor of the company...
secondly prove to the forum members that your payment is now due...
thirdly your reminders such as emails sent to the concerned company....
finally snapshot of the that company office that is closed.....

i am not a spokesperson for the company...but to be fair you need to back up with some concrete proof to see for all of us.....to know your concerns are real......

no offense.......

Touchwood is not in Trouble, but the investors are in trouble. The company has stopped paying returns. Twood is financing for troubled companies, defaulting investors. Melonys are cunning people. International racketiers. Even smarter than Lalith Kotalawela, Sakvithi & Danduwam mudalali.

Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:06 am by Sanjayacom · Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:06 am by Sanjayacom

Touchwood is not in trouble, but the investors are in trouble. Touchwood has started defaulting their investors. The majority will come into effect later. One should prevent new people getting into trouble. I have now lost. But I have a duty towards others who will get into this green scam. Bunch of these robbers should bring behind bars before they get vanished.

Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:56 pm by Sanjayacom · Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:56 pm by Sanjayacom

Touchwood bank accounts are closed. These people issue cheques from their closed bank accounts. These are crimes. Within next few days others can see in Newspapers.

Sanjayacom wrote:

npp wrote:There was someone like you who joined just to complain about the company which hasn't paid. Not wrong considering it's listed and we discuss about listed companies.

But in that case the company responded quickly and promised payment. I don't think you should panic too much and if you are in doubt, you should make it a point to somehow contact them. Calls are unanswered is a bit hard-to-believe. Anyway since it is an important thing, you should probably visit them personally to get a response, instead of posting on public forums.

Touchwood is not in trouble, but investors are in trouble. Twood has defaulted payments / returns of overseas projects. Nice part is there is no one responsible for the default.
Big Melony has quit from his stake in TWOOD.

Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:48 pm by Marketinvest · Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:48 pm by Marketinvest

Sanjayacom wrote:Touchwood bank accounts are closed. These people issue cheques from their closed bank accounts. These are crimes. Within next few days others can see in Newspapers.

Sanjayacom wrote:

npp wrote:There was someone like you who joined just to complain about the company which hasn't paid. Not wrong considering it's listed and we discuss about listed companies.

But in that case the company responded quickly and promised payment. I don't think you should panic too much and if you are in doubt, you should make it a point to somehow contact them. Calls are unanswered is a bit hard-to-believe. Anyway since it is an important thing, you should probably visit them personally to get a response, instead of posting on public forums.

Touchwood is not in trouble, but investors are in trouble. Twood has defaulted payments / returns of overseas projects. Nice part is there is no one responsible for the default.
Big Melony has quit from his stake in TWOOD.

just for a concern How can u prove that touchwood has defaulted u or anyone, i hav nothing with touchwood this is just for clarification or else it could bring unnecessary problem to the forum

Wed May 01, 2013 2:12 pm by sadikeen · Wed May 01, 2013 2:12 pm by sadikeen

Marketinvest wrote:

Sanjayacom wrote:Touchwood bank accounts are closed. These people issue cheques from their closed bank accounts. These are crimes. Within next few days others can see in Newspapers.

Sanjayacom wrote:

npp wrote:There was someone like you who joined just to complain about the company which hasn't paid. Not wrong considering it's listed and we discuss about listed companies.

But in that case the company responded quickly and promised payment. I don't think you should panic too much and if you are in doubt, you should make it a point to somehow contact them. Calls are unanswered is a bit hard-to-believe. Anyway since it is an important thing, you should probably visit them personally to get a response, instead of posting on public forums.

Touchwood is not in trouble, but investors are in trouble. Twood has defaulted payments / returns of overseas projects. Nice part is there is no one responsible for the default.
Big Melony has quit from his stake in TWOOD.

just for a concern How can u prove that touchwood has defaulted u or anyone, i hav nothing with touchwood this is just for clarification or else it could bring unnecessary problem to the forum

I also received a PDC dated 30/03/2013 for Rs. 1.4 M, issued from their bank account maintained with Sampath Bank. Afterwards I have received several messages from them requesting me not to encash the cheque as they are in the process of arranging a bank loan. Given below is one such emailed from them (in case if someone needs any proof).

Quote
From: Asanka Rathneweera (asanka@touchwood.lk)This sender is in your contact list.

Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 5:18:57 AM

Mr. sadikeen,

As per the telecon we had while ago,please refrain from banking cheque No:744164 for Rs.1,465,100.00 on 30th March untill further we confirm within 1st week of April.

Tks,
ASsanka

Fri May 10, 2013 10:59 pm by jerelocke · Fri May 10, 2013 10:59 pm by jerelocke

Does anyone on this forum have contact information for someone connected to the Touchwood Hong Kong legal case? I'm on Lord Toad's list but want to explore all options.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:32 pm by Wayne Abbott · Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:32 pm by Wayne Abbott

Good Evening

I would like to present myself as the Foreign Investor who paid for the entire purchase of CIFL in 2004 ,the purchasing of company was also attende by your current president Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa who at the purchase of CIFL was the prime minister of sri lanka,since I purchased CIFL in 2004 I was manipulated by Deepthi Perera into a shareholder of Aspic Corporation the owner now and identity who retains a majority shareholding of CIFL at the time of prospectus release
I have never received a return in 9 painful years and have been lied to by the company directors Mr Deepthi Perera continually over this period,he always states he is above the law and you need to speak to him if you require any answers
Just recently a Mr Roscoe Maloney of Touchwood in conjunction with Depthi Perera and lawyer from CIFL made attempts to purchase my shareholdings but as always it was fabricated and a continuation of lies and manipulation in which I received from the lawyer from CIFL Post Dated CHEQUES signed by Mr Roscoe Maloney to pay my shareholding off over 12 months,
Mr Deepthi Perera has advised me he has sold his interests after this was completed to protect once more his interests and I believe has absconded from Sri Lanka
Shirley Perera the former Vice President of CIFL has recognized my funds and purchasing of CIFL in his correspondence
The BOI and Mr Rajapaksa should now correct the wrong doings to a Foreign Investor who placed funds into Sri Lanka with trust and commitment meet with deceit and continual lies
Please show the foresight to assist in the return of my funds which were received by Fraudlent business practises
I await the replies prior to taken my situation to Mr Abbott the opposition leader and soon to be Prime Minister of Australia also to the current foreign trade politician.
Yours Sincerely
Concerned Foreign Investor
Wayne Steven Abbott