Ceylinco Chief refused bail
SARATH Malalasekera
Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha
Sethunga yesterday refused several applications for bail in respect of
Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kothalawala and other suspects who had been
remanded in connection with the Golden Key Credit Card alleged fraud and
remanded them till March 26.
| December 2008 - News of a multi million rupee credit card scam
surfaces at the Golden Key, a subsidiary of the Ceylinco Group, which
has over 110 associate companies.
December 27, 2008 – Chairman of Ceylinco Group Lalith Kotalawala says
that his group would exit Seylan Bank to raise funds,
in order to repay Golden Key depositors.
February 26, 2009 – Court orders Chairman Lalith
Kotalawala to be remanded in connection with the
Golden Key fraud. |
The Judge directed the Criminal Investigation Department Officials,
who are conducting investigations into the alleged fraud, to obtain a
medical report from the Colombo JMO in connection with the health
condition of Lalith Kothalawala and produce in court on the next date.
The Court also issued fresh warrant for the arrest of deputy Chairman
Cecile Kotalawala when she returned to the country.
The Court directed the two parties, the Prosecution Counsel and the
Defence Counsel to meet at the Attorney General’s Office to consider to
give relief to the depositors.
Deputy Solicitor General Sarath Jayamanne who appeared with the CID
for the prosecution vehemently objected to the suspects being released
on bail.
At the outset Senior Counsel for the Ceylinco Chairman, President’s
Counsel C. R. de Silva moving for bail submitted to court to release his
client on bail in order to make arrangements to repay the depositors as
early as possible.
President’s Counsel de Silva said that his client had paid 670
depositors and about 197 cheques are ready for the depositors to
collect.
A team of Senior Counsel including President’s Counsel M.L.M. Ameen,
Upali Gooneratne, Upali Senaratne, Clinton Dabare, U.R. de Silva, Anura
Medagoda, Anil Silva, Nalin Ladduwahetty, Nalin Indatissa appearing on
behalf of the depositors move court to grant relief to their clients.
Attorney-at-Law Ian Fernando submitted to court that due to the
Ceylinco Chairman being in remand custody over 40 employees are
suffering.
President’s Counsel Ikram Mohamed, President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch,
Ananda Kasthuriarachchi, Neville Abeyratne, Janapriya Fernando, Shanaka
Ranasinghe and a team of lawyers appeared for the depositors.
Tight security prevailed in the outer perimeter of the Court premises
on the direction of Mount Lavinia Senior SP Hemantha Adikari and
assisted by Mount Lavinia SP Lalith C. Gunawardena.
The case will be called again on March 26.
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