Arjun Aloysius re-remanded, his father Geoffrey Aloysius noticed

-Prosecution eyeing on more wrong doing committed by the suspects 

-10,000 cheques are being perused over PTL's alleged money trading: SDSG Jayasundara 

-Palisena, Aloysius re-remanded till July 5 

By Shehan Chamika Silva


Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today issued a notice on Geoffrey Aloysius (father of Arjun Aloysius), who is the chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL), to appear before the court on next date to show cause its failure to fulfill the previous court order which directed it to provide a comprehensive declaration with regard to the direct and indirect assets of PTL through an auditor.

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundara appearing for the CID said that PTL as the third suspect of the magisterial inquiry had failed to comply with the court order given on June 7, 2018.

The defence moved to consider the difficulties that are being confronted by the company in employing an auditor in order to prepare such a report on its assests.

When questioned by the Court, it was revealed that there was no representation for the PTL yet in the inquiry and consequently the magistrate directed to issue a notice on PTL's chairman to appear before the court.

However, the Magistrate also considered granting an opportunity for PTL to request for any documents in the custody of the prosecution in the course of preparing such a asset declaration because the CID had already, during a search warrant, had acquired documents belonging to PTL.

Responding to the failure to provide asset reports of other two susects, President's Counsel Anil Silva who appeared for Arjun Aloysius requested further time to respond in that regard as he was the new legal appearnce for the suspect.

President's Counse Kalinga Indatissa who appeared on behalf of Kasun Palisena said that his client is ready to comply as far as possible with the required details of his assests despite the difficulties he faces being in remand custody.

Magistrate Jayaratne, advised the both counsel to provide the required details in due course without further unnecessary delay.

SDSG Jayasundara also sought the court to issue an order against PTL over its failure to provide required details of its all direct and indirect payments made to the third party individuals and institutions, to the CID so as to use them for the forensic audit which is being conducted by the Central Bank at the moment.

However, contemplating the possibility of questioning about the failure directly from Geoffrey Aloysius, the magistrate suggested to consider it after he appears in court on next date.
SDSG Jayasundara also eloborated about acquiring some essential data (swift message copies) stored in PTL's server (computer system).

She said when the investigators attempted to enter into the server with the assistance of an employee of PTL, who was said to have had the user name and password of the system was unable to enter the computer system.

SDSG said that it was found that there was another password protected stage at the entrance of the system.

However, it was revealed that former IT head of PTL Sachith Devathantri who gave evidence at the bond commission against the PTL was aware of that password to enter the system, therefore, acceding the prosecution's request the Magistrate, issued an order on Devathantri and PTL's chairman to assist the CID to acquire required details from the server in the presence of legal representation if necessary.

Meanwhile, at the end of the inquiry, president's counsel Kalinga Indatissa questioned the prosecution on their current progress of the investigation during the last two weeks as the further reports filed recently were nothing to do with the main inquiry.

SDSG Jayasundara responding said that it was a complex and broad inveatigation where the prosecution is eyeing on other potential wrong doings commited by the suspects under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance as well.

She explained that the prosecution is also perusing over 10, 000 cheques in expectation of uncovering the PTL's money trading patterns, which is not an easy task by any means.

She also during her submission said that the CID had recorded another statement from a person called Amal Ravindranath, who also confirms the earlier revelation of Rs. 3 million worth cheques received by a Parliamentarian (Sujeewa Senasinghe) from WM Mendis & Companies.

However, the Magistrate considering all the facts of the both parties directed the prosecution to expedite the inquiry as far as possible and re-remanded two suapects, Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena till July 5, 2018.