Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka revealed today that businessman Arjun Aloysius, former owner of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., gave him Rs. 100, 000 as election campaign money in 2015, but said he was willing to pay it back with interest.

Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., is the company embroiled in the Central Bank bond scam, and is said to have made unprecedented gains due to alleged insider trading; Aloysius’ father-in-law Arjuna Mahendran was Governor of the Central Bank at the time.

Fonseka said the money he received from Aloysius did not amount to a bribe, as it was common practice, both here and abroad, for politicians to both seek and receive money from businessmen for the running of their election campaigns.

He also said that he was not aware that the money was tainted at the time, and following revelations that Aloysius and Perpetual Treasuries were involved in the bond scam, was willing to repay the money, with interest, as he wanted no part with it.