Fresh warrants issued for Arjuna Mahendran and Gardia Punchihewa
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (11) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to issue fresh open warrants directing that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and another suspect be taken into custody and produced before the court, in connection with a complaint filed relating to a money-laundering investigation.
The complaint was taken up today before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.The CID has filed this complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, the former Central Bank Governor and another suspect.When the matter was called, the suspects Arjun Aloysius, Geoffrey Aloysius, Kasun Palisena, P. M. Gunawardena and Mutthu Raja Surendran, directors of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, were present before the court.However, the other suspects, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and Ajan Gardia Punchihewa, did not appear.Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate ordered the CID to issue fresh open warrants for their immediate arrest and production before the court.
Having considered the facts submitted, the Magistrate further directed the CID to conclude the investigation on this matter and submit a report without delay.
The case was then fixed to be taken up again on 21 May.
