COLOMBO (News 1st): Five individuals who were arrested in connection to the Central Bank Bond Scam, were remanded until April 5, 2019. They were remanded after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today (March 25).

The five individuals are:

• P. Samarasiri – Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank
• Geoffrey Aloysius – Chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Limited
• Pushpamithra Gunawardena – Director of PTL
• Chitra Ranjan Hulugalle – Director of PTL
• Muthurajah Surendran – Director of PTL

Geoffrey Aloysius is the father of Arjun Aloysius, who was arrested and remanded over the Bond Scam and later released on bail. Counsel for the five suspects sought bail under any condition. The attorneys requested bail be granted citing the suspects had supported the CID in the investigations.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, appearing for former Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri (the 10th suspect in the case), informed the court that his client served as the Tender Board Chairman on February 27th 2015 – the day of controversial bond issue. PC Ladduwahetty stated that Samarasiri and the other officials only acted according to “the instructions and orders given by then Governor Arjuna Mahendran”.

He pointed out that Samarasiri retired in August 2017 after an untainted service of 40 years.

The Chief Magistrate noted that the charges against the suspects are under article 56 of the Registered Stocks and Securities Ordinance and that she can grant bail to the suspects. However given that the Bond Scam has caused massive losses to the Government, she said the suspects would be remanded, taking in to account the public uproar that could arise if the suspects were granted bail.

Meanwhile, SP Ruwan Gunasekera told News 1st that extradition laws are being followed to extradite Arjuna Mahendran.

“The former governor of the Central Bank Arjuna Mahendran has also been named as a suspect in this case. Courts have issued an open warrant and a red notice has been issued by the Interpol to bring him back to Sri Lanka. The Interpol has issued a red notice, and the relevant officials have been informed in this regard. These officials have informed our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the relevant documents are currently being exchanged in this regard. We are following the extradition law. ” – SP Ruwan Gunasekera

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