On February 4th, officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) placed Perpetual CEO Kasun Palisena, and beneficiary owner Arjun Aloysius, under arrest, after they were named on Friday at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court as suspects for having committed serious financial crimes against the state. These arrests come in the wake of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Issuance of Treasury Bonds, which found that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran had provided inside information that allowed Perpetual Treasuries to be illegally enriched through treasury bond auctions that took place during his tenure.
Notwithstanding the many months for which we have all waited patiently for results after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed the Attorney General’s Department to take action against the offenders in November 2016, the country owes its gratitude to the officers of the CID whose tireless efforts and dedication led to today’s arrests. Their work has been unimpeachable and untainted by personal or political agendas. The decision to place Mr. Aloysius and Mr. Palisena under arrest, and to seek the attendance of Mr. Mahendran before court, was a decision taken unilaterally by the CID in consultation with the Attorney General.
These officers investigating this serious financial crime and all other crimes can be assured that under this government their independence will continue to be sacred, and that the President and Prime Minister are committed to supporting the law enforcement community and justice system to prosecute all offenders no matter what their political affiliation. This is Good Governance in action. It is what the people of Sri Lanka voted for on January 8, 2015, and it is a vision to which we remain committed.
It is instructive to compare the investigation into the treasury bond scandal to the hundreds of criminal investigations into acts of violence and graft committed by the Rajapaksa regime. Unlike the billions of dollars stolen from the mouths of our people through the likes of the MiG deal, Helping Hambantota, the Norochcholai Power Plant deal, these treasury bond crimes occurred on our watch. This government and the UNP has a moral responsibility to hold those responsible accountable, and purge those involved from our ranks.
Arjuna Mahendran has been removed as Governor of the Central Bank. A UNP minister has stepped down from his cabinet position and post within the party. The law enforcement community dedicated unprecedented resources to getting to the root of the Bond deal, exposing wrongdoing, and holding the culprits accountable. No politician from any party can claim credit for these acts. The accomplishments of an independent police and Attorney General’s Department can be credited primarily to the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which the UNP and President Sirisena both fought for vigorously. This government is committed to safeguarding the independence of these sacred institutions, as well as the judiciary. That is Yahapalanaya. The Department and police must embrace their independence and use the maximum extent of their powers under the law to prosecute and convict all offenders, including those named as suspects in the 34 reports forwarded by the PRECIFAC commission into serious crimes, fraud and corruption under the previous government.
These thirty-four complex financial investigations combined have to date received fewer resources, less manpower and attention from the police and attorney general’s department than did the Commission of Inquiry into the bond scandal. The public cannot be blamed for wondering how many more criminals could be brought to justice, and how many more billions of rupees in stolen state assets recovered if these other investigations too received the same attention. This government will not interfere with the police and Attorney General’s Department and dictate their priorities. If there is an absence of resources to achieve the results that Sri Lankans deserve, it must be brought to our attention by law officers, so the government may solve the problem. This is how the FCID and Special Presidential Task Force on Asset Recovery (START) came to be, and the Digital Forensics laboratory of the CID.
Equally important as our duty to protect the independence of these institutions is our duty to empower them with the tools, resources and political will and support necessary to carry out their duty without fear or favour. Our police and prosecutors have several more challenging investigations and criminal trials of national importance before them, from the vicious murders of Lasantha Wickremetunge and Prageeth Eknaligoda, to the corruption of the likes of the MiG and Avant Garde deals. Our message to the prosecutors, police and other public officers is a simple one: Conduct your investigations with thoroughness and speed. Deliver the justice that the people of Sri Lanka deserve and have long awaited. Your government proudly stands by you and salutes your service.
Ben Hurling / February 6, 2018
Dear UNP,
Remember PITIPANA COMMISSION of corrupt UNP cronies? Wasn’t that a failed cover-up attempt?Where you treated the people of SL like GOD DAMNED IDIOTS? What about the dysfunctional Bribery Commission, FCID & U Name It Commission? You have destroyed the trust placed in you by the people on 8th January 2015. You wasted a golden opportunity.
Cheers!
PS: Remeber this Sinhala proverb? If you cannot chop-off your enemy’s hand, please do in-fact KISS IT! But, you cannot fool all the people, all the time.
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K.Anaga / February 6, 2018
Kabir Hashim!
You have said it well. If Ranil had identified “Cowthey Hora” he should have arrested Mahinda and co. at least within the Fist hundred days of assuming power. Instead he has been flirting with them and assuming that when he becomes a HORA his friends too could be saved. Now that they have been caught the want to catch the culprits who murdered Lasantha, Eknaligoda . What about the rugby player and thousands of civilians murdered during the war?.
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Pala / February 6, 2018
It seems that you have minimal knowledge on the role of a government and the role of the 2 independent entities, judiciary (courts) and law enforecement (police).
A prime minister does not have authority to arrest. That happenned in old days when MR was in power.
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Mudson Amerasinghe / February 6, 2018
34 Precifac cases was handed over to MS almost 15 months back.
He has not done anything regarding this.
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LittleisimonfromBerlin / February 6, 2018
MS is sitting with dogs, so how can he be clean here ?
All those men surrounded by MS are former Rajapakshe men.
They are all criminals and money grabbers of former MUGABE style regime.
Rajapakshe has become hero today, just because of duo failed to arrest the bugger.
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Rajash / February 6, 2018
when are you guys going to arrest the Rajapakse’s who swindled the country to bankruptcy. ….or you dont have the back bone?
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edwin rodrigo / February 6, 2018
So much – so late. We should have elections every 3 months. The cost is worth it.
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Bunjappu / February 6, 2018
Edwin,
I was travelling to Lanka last week. I had a stop over near to your territory. I had been thinking of you – if we had met us each other we could have a tea together.
I normally dont like arabs in general, but believe me, we were treated so humanly this time in Abudabi. I started respect them leaving my bad thoughts away on them.
Even if you Edwins thoughts are often very strange, I dont think you are a bad guy.
Hope you will get well soon.
The days I spent in SL was just 1 week. But I will get back to lanka in June or july. Now i have set it to 3 times /year.
Greetings from Switzerland
Bunjappu
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Kalu Albert / February 6, 2018
Where is Mallika?.
This dude and Mallika were with Dr Ranil’s Buddy Mahendran at the CB Trading Room to sip Champaign after Aloysious pulled it off…
Now what cock and bull is he dishing out.
Now the knowledgeable in Colombo are asking how much Kiriella made from Mitsui Deal?..
We know the commission is 0.25 of LKR 138 Billion.
Loan Facilitation Fee to UNP Diaspora mate and his Agent in Colombo is another whopping 1.25 Percent of LKR 138 Billion.
But the best is the last one.
Insurance Premium is 10 % of the total of LKR 138 Billion.
And guess what?..
The Loan Guarantor is non other than Aloysious…..
And this one will make the Bond Robbery loot look like pocket money…
Where are Dr Ranil and Kirra who boasted that they have done the biggest meritorious act ever of sending our Buddhist Dalits to worship the Holy Tooth in Two Hours from Thissamaharama…
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Nimal / February 6, 2018
I wonder if they are really arrested,pehaps till the elections are over?
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Douglas / February 6, 2018
“Unlike the billions of dollars stolen from the mouth of our people through the likes of Mig Deal, Helping Hambantota, the Norochcholai Power Plant Deal these THESE TREASURY BOND CRIME OCCURRED ON OUR WATCH” (emphasis by me). Does he refer to the Investigation OR the very operation of the “Bond Scam”? In either way he is correct. The “Investigation” by the “Pitipana Committee”; the “Operation of the Foot Note Gang”; The “Statement made by the PM in Parliament”; the “Evidence of PM through a prepared question and answer” that were not subjected to soul searching cross examination, all took place “ON OUR WATCH” as stated in the above statement. Then the “Treasury Bond Crime Occurred On Our Watch” too very correct. That happened with the appointment of Singaporean Arjuna Mahendran in the midst of objections and with the knowledge abundantly available of this Arjuna’s relationship to a Primary Dealer Alloysious; Attendance of a Team of “Unauthorized” persons at a “Breakfast Meeting” of the Monetary Board of CB ; the attempts made to extend the services of Mahendran as Governor ; calculated move to place the COPE report in the shelves of AG etc. – all go to prove “Bond Crime Occurred On Our Watch”. A “BIG THANK YOU” to the UNP General Secretary Mr. Kabir Hashim for telling us the TRUTH.
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Kamer / February 6, 2018
Last minute desperate statements after trying to cover up and sweep it under the carpet. Shame on you liars
Hats off to president sirisena the only chap who could do something to stop this corrupt lot
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Mathalang / February 6, 2018
Shut up you despicable Kabir….you and Malik S are as much involved in this garbage as Ravi K and Ranil. So you have no moral compunction to release such comments. We all remember how Ranil, you and the other Royalist buddies tried to sweep this under the carpet. Don’t forget how Ranil tried to extend Mahendran’s tenure as governor. Thank heavens we have an unsullied, honest and educated man as Coomaraswami of whom we can be proud of as Governor. After trying your level best to cover your evil deeds now you try to be Upasakas. So stop this nonsense as we have seen through you. Also we know how your brother-in-law is collecting commissions on your behalf. So please keep quiet. Ravi K also should be charged for misleading the courts with his absurd theatre gimmicks!! we are disillusioned as the only man that we considered honest-Ranil has proved to be an utter rogue!! Wither Sri lanka!!
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K.Pillai / February 6, 2018
A successful politician distracts peoples’ attention.
In this case, the sudden wakening is to tide over the LG elections.
Arrests are a prelude to bails and eventual collapse of cases.
When it comes to survival, the political differences are buried. The self-survival is considered more important than the survival of thee country.
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kolla / February 6, 2018
Because of Ranil the UNP has suffered terminally and the country has suffered hugely.The UNP is now second to chaps like Sarath Fonseka and Sirisena. Would the UNP of those days be a junior partner to a President like Sirisena ? All because RW is despised in the country.
When ever RW manages to become something like PM he acts like he rules the world and gets very arrogant only to fall like Humpty Dumpty.Had he been PM Prabakaran would still be fighting.
There is corruption everywhere with Ranil but the crooks are always wearing a tie and a coat . Every western country starts to act like we are a colony. Chaps like Mahendran, Ravi, Senasinghe ,Malik rob the country dry .
RW is only fit to be the Treasurer of the old Royalist club so that he can make a little money on the side while pretending to be a accountant or an economist and therefore fit to be the treasurer !( like now he pretends to know anything and everything including deep Buddhism !) A cheap man who is crooked and dishonest
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Rajiv / February 7, 2018
Kolla,
Dont forget, a murderer too.
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Sam Panditha / February 6, 2018
In passing- arrresting Alloysius & Palisena- how did the TV cameras come at 06.00 at both residences to film the political gimmick? ha ha ha
We elected the Yahapalanaya to take the follolwing cases: Basil – Malwana land- no owner now. Gotra MIG deal, Sriyanthi Siriliya, Gota Avant Garde, Namal- Money laundering; Yoshitha Daisy Achi properties, etc. THREE Yerars on have you arrested any of them?
eras come at 06.00 at both residences ton film the political gimmick? ha ha ha
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thrishu / February 6, 2018
Ranil good at playing childish “hora police”. He has yet to grow up, the scheming poly tikka who should be taught a good lesson this time.
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Pala / February 6, 2018
It seems that you have minimal knowledge on the role of a government and the role of the 2 independent entities, judiciary (courts) and law enforecement (police).
A prime minister does not have authority to arrest. That happenned in old days when MR was in power.
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Nosey Parker / February 6, 2018
I had a very high regard for this minister . He had everything -education, background, and great oratory skills in all three languages. So disappointed now .
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Leonard / February 7, 2018
I see you left out Honesty, Integrity, Trust. Ah! that do not count as a plus in Sri Lankan politics or majority of the countries in fact its a disadvantage.
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Rohan Gunaratne / February 6, 2018
Once again i would like to reiterare that there was no loss from the bond case. Its all media hype to strangle unp. Cheap media channel sirasa has a personal grudge with ranil coz 3 of killi henchman wanted to come to parliament on the national list. Which ranil didnt give into killi maharaja demands.
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thrishu / February 6, 2018
Kabir, one of the co-conspirators and the brians behind the mega bond scam, he has the nerve to come and declare here that the police have arrested the perpetrators of the crime. What a load of bull shit he is dropping? The stolen money has gone to fatten the coffers of the UNP party funds, and of course the private bank accounts and property gifts of UNP MPs involved. What Yahapalanaya…. who are you going to con you, you nincompoop. I wish and pray that the voters will see through the on-going “magadiya” (charade) too. Aloysius arrested and remanded ………. until the 11th February only, after which IF UNP wins or fails, he will be released for NO EVIDENCE claims. Voters, show your backside to this deceptionist and vote with your feet. There are others that deserve to be voted in.
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Jim softy / February 7, 2018
Ranil and UNP are thieves. They say they bought govt money for govt expenses and earned profits. In most cases the lost to the govt is 26 to 29%. YOu say govt lost nothing.
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Kalu Albert / February 6, 2018
Few UNP heavies went to visit Palisena and Aloysious who are in Protective Custody.
This was revealed in Parliament today .
Wonder who they are and whether the Foot Note brigade were there with Mallika and his mate Kabir?…..
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Jim softy / February 6, 2018
So vote the same thieves another time. They lie, every time and they expose something else. Did you Ranil says that Arjun Mahendran is hiding in Srilanka.
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Jim softy / February 6, 2018
What you see (in the photo) PM and the gang of thieves sitting discussing and othe rMPs around is the Parliamentary debate. they are discussing the Kasun Palisena’s report which says govt bought Govt money via PTL paying 9.0% interest and the govt earned billions.
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Jurassic100 / February 6, 2018
Minister Kabir Hashim
Are you forgetting Law and Order Minister instructing IGP not to arrest a crooked Nilame over his mobile phone and his servile “Yes Sir, Yes Sir” response? That too is “Good Governance in action” ya???
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Champa / February 7, 2018
What a crap!
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Jim softy / February 7, 2018
I think Ranil and the gang are discussing we will come next time via the Nationalist List and do the same theft.
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Leonard / February 7, 2018
I may be wrong if my memory serves me right how many high profile arrest were made and how many acutely got prosecuted and found guilty and got the the Go To Jail card?
Pending cases in perpetuity Basil, Namal , Yoshitha, and plethora of other names that will take few pages to cover. In AA and KP’s case they are from the Perpetual from the start.
This case showcase arrest will go as same way others gone loud bark no bite. RW’s pseudo name Mr. Clean should come in to consideration for a change.
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D Nimal / February 7, 2018
The fair and justice of that Right of Law has not reached to Ranil Wicks ,Malik Samarawickra, Kabir Husuan and Ravi Karunyake which that top leadership of UNP governance Party. They whom that handle power of State Law of Republic of Sri lanka by WHICH THAT discharge responsibilities ON BEHALF government of SL.
CB Bonds scam that Key accuses are above four Persons of UNP leadership of that engaged Inside Trading of Central Bond scam. Until Judiciary system of Island NOT that going address this CB Bond Scam of key four accusers by OUT of court of law ,their will be no fairness and fair play by our Justice system..
While that is unfair and unjust for Millions Tax payers of poor Sri Lankan key issues unaddressed by Justice of law? Our nation face unjust of millions of people fro “rule of law”. executed by Judiciary system of an Island!
Rule of Law of that court hearing which is that confined to Ex CB governor Arjuam Aloysis and Kasun Palihan are not that key accuses in this CB Bond scandal is uncompleted in legal proceeding are concern .
Their are NOT that Master Brain behind that CB Bond scam?
These three were ONLY organizer of inside and outside CB Bond scam? The real coup an organizer or idea CB Bond scam was derived from Ranil Wicksmansinghe and Kabir Husuan? Malik is not that intelligent enough that CB Bond scam but he need funds for his business operation . But Ravi K.. of born crook of business and policies and politics of UNP?
The Central Bank perform Several tasks. and Operations few are below;
1 To key to that CB trust agent of economic cannot an imposed by UNP a political party that one sided looking FUNDS for the PARTY FUNCATION .
2 CB has taken a number of unprecedented steps to tame financial turmoil.
3 CB modified their lending facilities and widened the range of collateral.
4 CB modified their lending facilities to FIXED RATE TENDER with FULL ALLOTEMENT.
What in my view that if our judiciary justice system in looking at theses task has been undermined by UNP leadership of Ranil wicks and his comrades in arms ? This not that Pure matter of Party ,indeed well crux of matter is National interest of country’s an Economy and its survival. Rule of Law has permitted look vital interest of country any land.
That is an Accountability and Responsibility of Rule of Law.
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