Singapore’s highest legal authority is studying relevant documents to expedite the extradition of former Central Bank governor Arjuna Mahendran who was allegedly involved in Sri Lanka treasury bond scam.
The Attorney General has informed the Permanent High Court at Bar yesterday Wednesday 4 that Singapore’s Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is currently studying the documents relating the extradition of Arjuna Mahendran.
The Sri Lankan government has sent necessary documents requesting the extradition of former Central Bank governor Arjuna Mahendran named as a defendant of the treasury bond scam case.
The case was taken up for hearing before Special High Court bench consisting of Judges Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne yesterday (04).
Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe, representing the Attorney General, told the court that the Attorney General’s Department has directed the related documents to the government of Singapore in order to repatriate Mahendran to Sri Lanka under extradition law.
The AGC has informed the Sri Lankan government that these documents are currently under study by the Singaporean authorities and that they require more time to conclude the process.
The Deputy Solicitor General, presenting his submissions, said the AGC will subsequently take appropriate legal measures to repatriate Mahendran to Sri Lanka.
The 10th defendant in the case, Ajahn Gardiye Punchihewa, who is currently living in Singapore absconding the court, was previously issued summons to appear before the bench.
The Deputy Solicitor General, however, informed the court that the summons has not been directed to the defendant, citing a delay in the process.
Considering the presented facts, the three-judge bench ordered to re-issue summons on Punchihewa.
The attorney representing Chairman of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Geoffrey Aloysius requested the court to permit his client to travel overseas for medical treatment till the 6th of January.
Accepting the request, the judge bench ordered to temporarily release the PTL chairman’s passport, which is held under the custody of the judiciary, under two personal bails each worth at Rs 2.5 million.
(LI)