Ajith Nivard Cabraal Withdraws Greek Bond Case Petition

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal today personally withdrew the petition he had filed challenging the case brought against him by the Bribery Commission regarding the 2012 Greek bond incident. 

In the petition, the petitioner stated that a case had been filed against him before the Colombo High Court regarding a government loss incurred by investing Rs. 1.8 billion in Greek bonds.

The petitioner further stated that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption subsequently withdrew that indictment and refiled charges against him before a Trial-at-Bar High Court.

Accordingly, the petitioner noted that the second indictment was filed under different provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, and although he raised a preliminary objection before the Trial-at-Bar High Court stating that filing charges in such a manner was contrary to the law, the court rejected his objection.
Therefore, Ajith Nivard Cabraal requested in his petition that the Trial-at-Bar High Court's rejection of his preliminary objection be invalidated and that he be discharged from the case.

However, President's Counsel Dilan Ratnayake, appearing for Ajith Nivard Cabraal, informed the Supreme Court today that as the Colombo Trial-at-Bar judge bench is scheduled to deliver an order regarding the case, the petition was being withdrawn.

Considering the matters presented, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena granted permission to withdraw the petition.