Colombo, Sri Lanka – On December 19, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued open warrants for the arrest of Arjuna Mahendran, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and Ajahn Gardiner Punchihewa, in connection with a money laundering case linked to the infamous 2015 Central Bank bond scam.
The warrants were issued after both suspects failed to appear in court for a hearing regarding the scam, which involves allegations of financial misconduct, conspiracy, and violations under the Penal Code. The case, filed by the CID’s Financial Investigations Unit, includes seven charges.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Arjun Aloysius, currently in remand custody for alleged VAT evasion, is also a suspect in the bond scam case. The Magistrate ordered that Aloysius be produced in court for the next hearing. While most of the suspects attended the court session, Mahendran and Punchihewa’s absence prompted the issuance of arrest warrants.
The suspects in this case include Perpetual Treasuries Limited, Arjun Aloysius, Arjuna Mahendran, Geoffrey Joseph Aloysius, Ajahn Gardiner Punchihewa, Pushpamuththu Gunawardena, Kasun Palisena, and Muthuraja Surendran.
At the hearing, the defense team for suspect Kasun Palisena requested his discharge, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to file charges against him. The Magistrate directed investigators to provide further findings on this request during the next court session.
The CID confirmed that indictments have already been filed against the suspects in the High Court. Attorneys Sampath Mendis and Lalith Amarasekera represented the suspects at the hearing.
The investigation continues as the court seeks justice in the high-profile bond scam case.
