Travel ban on Cabraal further extended till July 25

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 
The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday further extended its order preventing former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from leaving the country until July 25.

The court had earlier issued notices directing Cabraal to appear in court on May 23. However, he was represented by a lawyer and the court was informed that Cabraal is going to appear in court on the next hearing date.

Taking the facts into consideration, Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala ordered to reissue notices on Cabraal to appear in court on July 25. The court made this order pursuant to a request made by former Southern Province Governor Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon through a private plaint filed in terms of Section 136(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act.

The petitioner said Cabraal is responsible for the country’s crippling economic crisis since he took measures to pay a US $ 500 million sovereign bond. The petitioner stated that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka had incurred losses between Rs.10.4-10.6 billion from 2005 to 2015 to the Sri Lankan government, whilst Cabral was the head of the Central Bank.

The petitioner alleged Cabral has committed a punishable offence under Section 388 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust. The petitioner further alleged that Cabraal is also liable for committing offences under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance. President’s Counsel Maithree Goonaratne, Counsel Ashan Nanayakkara, Iresh Seneviratne and Chan Godakumbura appeared for the complainant. President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando appeared for Cabraal.