Two key cases in Sri Lanka were taken up for hearing today, with the Attorney General submitting requests.
The Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam today requested the Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar to allow to continue proceedings on the 2015 Central Bank bond scam case with two of the accused in absentia.
The bench was informed that the two defendants, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran and a former director of Perpetual Treasuries Ajahn Gardiya Punchihewa are currently residing overseas.
Stating that an extradition process has been commenced with regard to Mahendran and that Gardiya cannot be extradited under the Extradition law, the Additional Solicitor General requested the court to proceed with the case in absentia of the two defendants.
Accordingly, the three-judge bench ordered the case to be taken up again on December 03 and directed the prosecution to take steps to conduct the necessary evidence to proceed with the case without the two accused on that day.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam informed the Court of Appeal today not to proceed with the charges against Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda pertaing to the 11 youth abduction case.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had in 2019 recorded statements from Karannagoda over the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in 2008-2009.
Former Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC had decided to indict Karannagoda and 13 others in connection with the abduction, torture, extortion and conspiracy to murder 11 persons in 2008 and 2009.
However, in August 2021, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam had informed courts that his office will not proceed with the charges against the former Navy Commander. (NewsWire)