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Court summons CBSL Intelligence Unit over delay in submitting bank records in bond scam probe
By Bhagya Silva
Colombo, June 12 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today ordered a senior officer of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to appear before court in connection with the ongoing investigations into the Central Bank bond scam, due to the failure to submit bank records as previously ordered.
The case is relating to the controversial bond issuance of February 27, 2015, which allegedly caused a loss of over Rs. 688 million to the government. The Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had earlier requested a court order to obtain records related to accounts maintained by Perpetual Treasuries Ltd at CBSL. The order was issued on March 9, but the relevant documents have not yet been submitted to court.
The FCID informed court today that, despite the previous directive, no response had been received from the CBSL's FIU, and none of the requested reports were presented.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis and Rasik Zarook, appearing for the suspects, pointed out that despite over nine months having passed since the Magistrate's Court proceedings began, the investigation has shown little progress. They further emphasised that the suspects are already facing trial before the High Court under separate indictments and requested that a directive be issued compelling an officer from the CBSL’s FIU to appear in person and explain the delay.
Considering the submissions, the Magistrate issued an order requiring an FIU officer from the Central Bank to appear before court and present the details.
She also instructed the investigators to submit a progress report on the investigation by December 11.
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