PTL technical officer admits he lied to CID – SASG

*Voice logger computers seized
*Two counsel in heated argument

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The Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the alleged bond scams resumed sittings yesterday with Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda, PC informing the commission that two desktop computers belonging to Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) had been taken into custody. Data had been removed from the machine which had been connected to the PTL voice logger system provided by Metropolitan Communications (Pvt.) Ltd.

The commission, on a request made by ASG Kodagoda, decided to permit the engineers of Metropolitan Communications Ltd to examine both computers and transfer data to some other device.

ASG Kodagoda told the Commission that the CID had first taken into custody a desktop computer belonging to Perpetual Treasuries and subsequently seized the computer Metropolitan Communications had provided with the voice logger system.

The Commission also ordered Metropolitan Communications Ltd to examine the four compact discs on which the data from the Voice Logger System had been recorded and ascertain the numbers and times of calls recorded thereon.

The order was made on a request made by Deputy Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda.

Chief Engineer of Metropolitan Communications Ltd. Nalin Ranga Dharmaratne testifying before the Commission, in answer to questions raised by commission member Justice Prasanna Jayawardena said the Indian company which is the parent company of Metropolitan Communications had said it had not found any call data between Feb. 02, 2015 and 31May 2016.

Senior Assistant Solicitor General (SASG) Dappula de Livera, PC told the commission that PTL technical officer Sachith Devathanthri had admitted before the investigative unit of the commission that he had lied in his previous statement. The SASG said Devathanthri had not disclosed that the PTL had tampered with its voice logger system on July 06, when the Central Bank suspended the PTL as a primary dealer for six months.

Kalinga Indatissa, PC appearing for PTL CEO Kasun Palisena and SASG de Livera had a heated argument when the former repeated questioned Metropolitan Communications (Pvt.) Chief Engineer Dharmaratne on an affidavit submitted to the commission. The SASG raised objections to the line of questioning. When the two counsel started shouting the commission members intervened to settle the dispute.