The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (12) ordered the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to appear in court on December 11 and provide an explanation for its failure to submit account reports previously requested in connection with the Central Bank bond scam investigation.
The directive was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage when the case, filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was taken up for hearing.
The suspects, including Arjun Aloysius, Director of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd and currently out on bail, were present in court.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for the suspects, informed the court that the case was last called in November 2024, during which the FIU was directed to submit financial records linked to the companies associated with the accused. However, those documents have not been submitted to date.
Raising concern over the delay, Mendis urged the court to rule on whether the prosecution intends to actively proceed with the case, citing what he described as a lack of momentum in the investigation. He also noted that a separate case relating to the same incident is being heard before a three-judge bench of the High Court, filed by the Attorney General.
A CID officer confirmed to the court that no response had been received from the Central Bank’s FIU regarding the earlier order to submit the requested reports.
Taking all submissions into consideration, Magistrate Gamage instructed the FIU to appear in person at the next hearing and clarify the delay.
The suspects in the case include Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, its Director Arjun Aloysius, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, and five other individuals. The case relates to the controversial 2015 bond issuance, which has been the subject of extensive legal and public scrutiny due to alleged financial misconduct and state losses.
