Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara and Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith P. Perera, speaking exclusively to Ada Derana, responded to the allegation that they had telephone conversations with Arjun Aloysius, while they were members of the COPE committee inquiring into bond scandal.
An analysis report submitted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to the President Commission of Inquiry (CoI) investigating the controversial Central Bank treasury bond scam yesterday revealed that five members of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) had telephone conversations with the owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited, during the period of the COPE inquiry into the issuance of treasury bonds.
MPs Sujeewa Senasinghe, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, Harshana Rajakaruna and Hector Appuhamy allegedly had phone conversations with Aloysius during the time period of the COPE inquiry, it was revealed.
Jayasekara admits to speaking and meeting with Aloysius, but maintains that he was one of the COPE members who pushed for legal action against the PTL owner and those working under him.
“I have known Arjun Aloysius’ family for several years.” The minister stated that he has known Arjun’s father since a long time ago and had only got to know the son since very recently.
“But he called me twice and asked for an opportunity to meet. But on both those occasions I realized that it must be about this issue. I met with him.” Jayasekara said that when he met with Aloysius the latter told him that he was innocent in this Treasury Bond problem and asked that justice be done to him.
However, the minister said that he told Aloysius that with the ongoing COPE committee situations it was apparent that they were completely involved in this issue and therefore he cannot intervene in it and that he asked Aloysius to refrain from calling him about this. “After that he never called me again.”
The minister stated that the entire country is aware about his behavior in the COPE committee because he had proposed that cases be filed against them and that they be arrested and put in jail.
“I am one of the few who signed that. I am not one of those who spoke to save them,” he said, speaking to Ada Derana over the phone.
The minister stated that he was even a member of the committee which recommended that a Presidential Commission of Inquiry be set up to probe the bond issue.
Jayasekara stated that he has never stolen or stood for those who steal and that he doesn’t have any dealing with such individuals. He stated that they will continue to fight until the responsible parties are taken to court and put in jail.
“I have never taken money or money for apartments from Arjuna Mahendran or Aloysius,” he added.
Meanwhile Deputy Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ajith P. Perera categorically denied having any phone conversations or ever speaking with Aloysius.
“I have never met or spoken to Arjun Aloysius. He is not a friend of mine.” Perera stated that his phone is used by both himself and his staff.
“I would like to clearly state that this individual has never personally spoken to me about the bond issue or any other issue for that matter,” he told Ada Derana.
At the same time, he said, that he is one the people who spoke against Aloysius at the COPE committee and wanted action taken against the PTL owner and his company for serious crimes committed. He said that this has been specially reported in the COPE report.
“I have no friendship or connection with him,” he emphasized.
Ada Derana failed to get a response from State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, who is alleged to have had 62 phone conversations with Aloysius, regarding the allegations.
