BOND SCAM : Arjun Aloysius requests court to acquit him of charges

Colombo (News 1st): Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius today (May 29) requested the court to acquit him of charges made against him in the case involving his company. Perpetual Treasuries is alleged to have used insider information during a bond auction to earn large profits, and are currently under investigation over the matter. Arjun Aloysius's lawyer made this written request on behalf of his client when the case was taken up before Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. Attorney-at-Law Sajitha Jayawardena made this request on the grounds that there is not enough evidence to support the allegation that the suspect had received insider information from the Bank of Ceylon. The Fort Magistrate ordered that if there are any objections to the matter, that such objections be submitted in written form on June 28th by Senior Deputy Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundara. This case, filed against 9 persons including former Governor of the Central Bank Arjun Mahendran, Arjun Aloysius, Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri has been fixed for June 28th. Arjun Aloysius, who says he did not receive sensitive information, refused to make a statement to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the bond transactions. Stating that he will not provide evidence, he further added that the commission cannot force him to do so. But the Presidential Commission stated that the individual in question did receive sensitive internal information, and used it to gain an advantage in the bond auctions. The commission recommended that twice the loss incurred by the state be recovered from him. The commission also recommended that investigations be opened and legal action filed. The general public remain vigilant and continue to pay close attention to the statements made by Aloysius, who refused to provide evidence at the commission but makes such requests before the court.