CJ names judges to two trials-at-bar in connection with bond scam

• Trials-at-bar named on request of AG
• Will hear cases in connection with bond auctions of March 2016
• Former minister Ravi and others face multiple charges, including criminal misappropriation, market manipulation 

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya yesterday named judges to two trials-at-bar to hear cases involving the Central Bank bond transactions of March 2016.

Three High Court judges will make up each of the benches at a trial-at-bar.

One bench will include High Court (HC) Judges D. Thotawatta, Manjula Tillakaratne and M. Irsadeen, while one will include HC Judges Amal Ranaraja, Namal Balalle and Adithya Patabandige.

The two trials-at-bar were appointed on the request of Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera to hear the cases against former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, Arjun Aloysius and eight others.

The accused, including Karunanayake, face charges such as criminal misappropriation, market manipulation, cheating and insider dealing in relation to bond auctions held in 2015/2016.

They face charges under the Penal Code, Offences against Public Property Act and the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance.