The Attorney General has directed the Acting Police Chief to record statements from former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in connection with the Central Ban bond scam probe. The AG also has directed the Acting Inspector General to record statements from M. S. Paskaralingam, who was an advisor to former Prime [...]

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Bond scam probe: Police to record statements from ex-President, ex-Premier

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The Attorney General has directed the Acting Police Chief to record statements from former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in connection with the Central Ban bond scam probe.

The AG also has directed the Acting Inspector General to record statements from M. S. Paskaralingam, who was an advisor to former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and the former General Manager of the Peoples Bank.

When the alleged bond scam took place, the Central Bank had been under the purview of the Ministry of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, a portfolio Mr. Wickremesinghe held from January 2015.

When the case was taken up this week in the Colombo High Court, Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe P.C. told court that Interpol had conveyed to them that first accused Mahendran had changed his name to Harjan Alexander.

Earlier, an Interpol warrant had been issued for Mr. Mahendran’s arrest.

The bond scam case is being heard before the Permanent Trial-at-bar bench, comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne.

ASG Ranasinghe said the AG’s Department had been in touch with the AG’s Office in Singapore about the pending extradition of Mr. Mahendran, a Singaporean citizen. He said a query was sent to the Singapore authorities whether changes had to be made to the extradition request due to the change in the name of the accused but was informed it was not necessary.

The High Court also said the case could proceed based on the indictments despite the name change by one of the accused.

Mr Mahendran, under whose tenure as CBSL Governor the bond scam took place, has been absconding since he was named a suspect in the case. Indictments were filed against Mr. Mahendran and nine others before the Permanent High Court at Bar in June last year. Also absconding is another accused, Ajaan Gardiye Punchihewa, who is also believed to be in Singapore.

The High Court this week reissued summons on Mr. Punchihewa after the ASG requested that fresh summons be served on him.

Mr. Mahendran and 9 others face charges of criminal misappropriation, market manipulation, cheating and insider dealing in relation to two bond auctions held in February and March 2016.

The suspects face charges under the Penal Code, the Offences Against Public Property Act and the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance. They have been accused of misappropriating Rs 36.98 billion and Rs 15 billion in the two auctions, respectively.

The case will be heard next on November 17.

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