News

Bond Scam: Court released Mahendran & others from Public Property charges

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2022

editor

Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, and nine other people who were accused in the 1st Bond Scam case of 2015 were released from the charges filed under the Public Property Act, by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Tuesday (11).

The court ruled that it cannot proceed with the charges filed under the Public Property Act by the Attorney General against the ten people accused of committing the Bond Scam of 2015.

The verdict was delivered by a 2/3 majority in the court.

The case was called up in the presence of Justices Chamath Morias, Damith Thotawatte, and Namal Balalle.

President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana had filed a preliminary objection with the court noting that charges cannot be charged against a company under the Public Property Act and noted that Perpetual Treasuries Limited which was also named as an accused is a company and not a person.

After the court accepted the objection, the defense counsel also argued that as a majority of the other accused at Directors of Perpetual Treasuries Limited, it applies to them as well, and therefore the charges under the Public Property Act filed against them cannot be taken forward.

Thereby, the Justice of the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered for all other charges to be taken up for a trial, leaving the charges filed under the Public Property Act, on the 16th of December 2022.

The case was filed against the 10 accused under 23 counts for committing the Bond Scam on the 27th of February 2015, and causing a loss of Rs. 688 Million to the government.

The accused are:

Ex-CBSL Governor Lakshman Arjuna Mahendran

Ex-CBSL Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri

Perpetual Treasuries Limited

Arjun Joseph Aloysius

Kasun Palisena

Geoffrey Joseph Aloysius

Pushpa Chandra Gunawardena

C. Ranjan Hulugalle

Muthuraja Surendran

Ajahn Gardiye Punchihewa

(News1st)

News

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the police today that eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin and not to be afraid to use weapons.

He made these remarks while participating in the passing out parade at Katukurunda STF Training camp.

“Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and we stand by you,” the minister said.

“The police officers who had undergone the training know what to do. They know everything that is needed. If this team is not enough, another police motorcycle team will be established. We have a goal. All the police officers know what that goal is. I just want to go for that goal. I have done everything, including salary increases for all of you. I only expect you to go for the goal,” the minister further said.

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of the Minister, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

These trained 50 motorcycle teams commenced anti-underworld duties yesterday.

The team was given two weeks special training to respond to incidents involving gunmen committing crimes on motorcycles and take necessary action against them.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Public urged to use only Immigration Dept’s webpage for e-visa

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has urged the public to apply for e-visas exclusively through the official Home Page of www.immigration.gov.lk.

In a bid to streamline visa processing and combat fraudulent activities, the Department rolled out a new visa methodology effective from April 17, 2024. This marked the termination of visa applications through the ETA website.

However, concerns have arisen regarding unauthorized websites impersonating the official platform www.srilankaevisa.lk, leading unsuspecting applicants to fall victim to scams, the Department notes.

News

Duminda appointed as SLFP’s Acting Gen. Secretary

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed MP Duminda Dissanayake as the party’s Acting General Secretary.

He was appointed during the politburo meeting convened by the faction backing Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva this evening (April 25).

On Wednesday (24), the Colombo District Court issued an injunction preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP and implementation of the decisions taken by him as the SLFP Acting General Secretary.