Palisena hands over mobile phone to Bond commission
CEO of Perpetual Treasuries Kasun Palisena handed over his mobile phone to the investigation Officers of the Bond commission yesterday (4). Palisena is to appear at the Bond commission on Tuesday (8) for a comprehensive inquiry.
At the advent of proceedings, President’s Counsel lawyer Kalinga Indatissa the legal representative for Perpetual Capital Ltd stated that the Bond commission had no legal authority to make his clients hand over any private communication devices for investigation. He further stated that according to the provisions provided by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, the commission may conduct investigations on any private device only in the presence of the owner of that device. Indatissa further stated that the role of Attorney General’s department in the current context is to conduct an inquiry on witnesses summoned by the commission.
Later on the Attorney representing Arjun Aloyssius requested for copies of all data extracted from his clients’ iphone to be handed over to his counsel. This request was objected by Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera who stated that copies of the extracted material will be made available only if any data is to be used as lead evidence.
In response, Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda stated that the AG’s department can assist the Bond commission according to Section 23 of the Investigation Act. He pointed out that according to the Act, the Commission has the authority to summon any public servant for inquiry nullifying the argument made by Indatissa.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne the legal representative for Arjun Aloysius made a request from the commission to have access to the reports of the 8600 pages of data currently being extracted from his clients phone.
This requested was objected by Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera who stated that investigations on the mobile device of Arjun Aloysius have not been completed as he has not provided the investigational officers with his password.
The commission also informed the lawyers of Kasun Palisena that he is to appear at the Bond commission on August 08, 2017.