Arjun Aloysius asked witness to support in Commission’s proceedings: revealed during testimony of DGM of Pan Asia Bank

-Aloysius made several phone calls to witness

-Commission asks ASG to find legal provisions regarding such interference with witness

 By Shehan Chamika Silva

Primary Dealer, Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL)’s owner Arjun Aloysius had interfered with the witness who was testifying before the Bond Commission representing Pan Asia Bank, revealed today.

The intervention came into light during the evidence led by Deputy Solicitor General, Milinda Gunathilaka from Deputy General Manager of the Pan Asia Bank, Mr. R. Aruna Benedict Dias.

Before calling evidence of the witness into the commission, the witness had been summoned to provide statement which was recorded by the police at the Presidential Commission on July 4. Later based on that statement, Mr. Dias came before the Commission on July 5 to give evidence and still continuing.

According to the Witness, Mr. Arjun Aloysius had called him via mobile phone on June 30, prior to him giving evidence before the Commission, and had requested to meet him for some reason.” Initially I refused but he was asking at least for a ten or five minutes time period”, witness said. 

Subsequently, Mr. Dias had visited Arjun Aloysius’ house based on his request.  “During the discussion we had in his house Mr. Alosius said me that now we are in the last two crucial weeks of the proceedings of the Commission, so I need your support…” witness said.

The witness also revealed that Mr. Aloysius had guaranteed him a place in his company if he will has to leave the Pan Asia Bank due to the subjected issue.

When the Commission questioned on his decision to go Mr. Aloysius’ house, the witness was of the view that he was concerning his personal and professional reputation and therefore had the intention of obtaining more information from Mr. Aloysius.

The witness said despite his rejections to such proposals, Mr. Aloysius continued to contact him making several phone calls prior to and after him giving statements to the police on July 4.

He also said that former Chairman of the Pan Asia Bank, Mr. Nimal Perera had also contacted him after he recorded statements with police and impliedly assured him a place in his future Money Brokering Company if something will happen to current position at Pan Asia Bank.

“I assume they wanted to prevent me from disclosing the truth before the Commission”, witness said.

Consequently, Commissioner, SC Justice Prasanna Jayawardena asked Additional Solicitor General Dappulada Livera to find any legal provision which derives criminal aspects regarding such interference with the witness.  

Further explaining to the Commission the Witness went on to say that he first met Mr. Aloysius in June 2015 at the place of former Pan Asia Bank’s Chairman in the presence of CEO of PTL, Mr. Kasun Palisena.

That discussion was relating to the Pan Asia’s role as an intermediary between Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and PTL for the transactions in the Secondary Market.

According to the witness, the Pan Asia Bank had acted as an intermediary between EPF and PTL transactions in secondary market during latter part of 2015 based on the instructions of former Chairman of Pan Asia Bank, since EPF and PTL had certain counter part restrictions to deal between themselves according to some laws.

During the previous evidence led by DSG Gunathilaka, it was said that the PTL had dictated such intermediary bond transactions by deciding Price, Quantity and Settlement dates to the Pan Asia Bank.

Additionally, the witness also said that he had another meeting with Mr. Aloysius in March 2016 in the presence of former Pan Asia Bank again.

“The PTL was having a financial funds issue in settling payments regarding the bonds that they had obtained at the auctions took place on March 29 and March 31, 2016, therefore the discussion was based on whether the Pan Asia Bank could facilitate PTL with ‘intraday inject of cash”, said witness.

The witness was of the view that he was highly rejecting to provide such facility to PTL because it was a high risk to the Bank. “Former Chairman of the Pan Asia Bank and Mr. Aloysius was attempting to convince me towards taking such decision but I was not happy”, said him.

Meanwhile responding to an argument taken place between DSG and President’s Counsel who appeared for the PTL, SC Justice Prasanna Jayawardena ascertained that the Commission has no friends or respect towards any individuals during the proceedings.

The evidence of the witness will be continued on Monday (July 10).