Central Bank bond scam case to be taken up in January 2027 for pre-trial conference

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has ordered that the case filed against former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and several other defendants over the controversial Central Bank bond transaction be called on January 28, 2027 for a pre-trial conference.

The case was taken up today before the three-judge bench of the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, presided over by Judge Priyantha Liyanage, said Ada Derana reporter.

During the proceedings, several defendants, including Perpetual Treasuries Limited directors Arjun Aloysius, Geoffrey Aloysius and Kasun Palisena, appeared before court.

The court had previously decided to proceed with the trial in the absence of two defendants, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and Ajahn Punchihewa.

Meanwhile, attorneys representing some of the defendants informed the court that they had not yet received certain documents relevant to the case.

Taking these submissions into consideration, the bench directed Senior State Counsel Oswald Perera, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, to take steps to provide the outstanding documents to the defence before the next court date.

Thereafter, the three-judge bench ordered that the case be called on January 28 next year for a pre-trial conference.

Former Central Bank Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri, along with Perpetual Treasuries Limited directors Arjun Aloysius, Geoffrey Aloysius, Kasun Palisena, Muthuraja Surendran, Chitta Ranjan Hulugalle and P. Gunawardena, appeared before the court when the case was taken up today.

The Attorney General has filed indictments against former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and the other defendants under the Offences Against Public Property Act, alleging that they caused a loss of Rs. 688 million to the government through the Central Bank bond auction held on February 27, 2015.