Bond Scam: Indictments served on 10 including Arjun Aloysius

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Attorney General today (July 19) requested the permanent high court trial at bar hearing the case filed over the Central Bank Bond scam to issue a warrant against the first suspect, Former Governor of the Central Bank Arjuna Mahendran. The Attorney General has filed charges against 10 defendants including former governor at the permanent high court trial at bar. Judges Sampath Abeyakoon, Sampath Wijeyarathne, Champa Janaki Rajarathne are the members of the bench hearing the case. Seven defendants of the case were present in court today. After indictments were served against the 7 suspects in open court, they were released on a cash bail of Rs. 1 million each and 2 surety bails of Rs. 2.5 million each. According to the court order one of the 2 bondsman for the defendants should be a close relative of his family. The Senior additional solicitor general Priyantha Nawana who appeared on behalf of the attorney general in court requested court to issue a warrant against the first suspect of the case, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran as he is absconding court. Additional Solicitor General Nawana also requested court to issue notices on the 10th suspect of the case, Ajan Gaadiyer Punchihewa who is currently residing in Singapore. Court decided to issue an order on the request on the 24th of this month. The Interpol has already issued blue and red notices for the arrest of Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. These steps were taken based on an order issued by the Colombo Magistrates Court. The Additional Senior Solicitor General informed court that as the suspect had not acted according to these orders steps have been taken to initiate diplomatic dialogue to bring him back to the country under the extradition law. 23 indictments have been filed at permanent high court trial at bar against the 10 accused, Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran , Former Central Bank Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri, Perpetual Treasuries Limited, PTL Benificial Owner Arjun Aloysius, PTL CEO Kasun Palisena. Jeffery Joseph Aloysius, Pushya Gunawardena, Ranjan Hulugalla, Muthuraja Surendran and Ajahn Punchihewa.