No legal issue over Arjuna's appointment: Ranil

4 June 2015 01:52 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday that there was no legal impediment for the appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as the Central Bank Governor.

The Prime Minister was responding to Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader Dinesh Gunawardane, who questioned the eligibility of Mr. Mahendran to hold such a post as a Singaporean citizen.

The Prime Minister said the criterion, to be followed in the appointment of the Monetary Board and the Central Bank Governor, had been laid down in the Finance Act.

He said a Parliamentarian or a Provincial Council member could not be appointed to the post according to the law. A government official or a judicial officer could also not be appointed at the same time, he noted.

Explaining the criteria, he said it had not been stipulated that a foreign national should not be appointed.

"Some, using the media favouring them, carry out a campaign that the appointment of Arjuna Mahendran has triggered a crisis in the international arena. Yet, it does not seem to be true when examining the international transactions of the Central Bank," he said.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said these critiques remained tight lipped, when the public wealth was plundered with the involvement of foreign nationals at that time.

"You are opposed when a foreign citizen is used to curb corruption, to protect public wealth and state resources," he said.

Mr. Mahendran is born, raised and educated in Sri Lanka. He had served in the Central Bank for 11 years.

"After that, he held key positions both in the government and private sectors. In 2002, he was the Chairman of Board of Investment. At that time Prof. G.L. Peiris who held ministerial posts under different governments, was the subject minister. He left the country because of the Rajapaksa regime. Therefore, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be held responsible for it," he said.

Also, the Prime Minister said not only Mr. Mahendran but also many others had to leave the country during the Rajapaksa regime started in 2006.

He said the situation was even worse for minority communities.

"We lost our Tamil friends Joseph Pararajasingham, N. Raviraj and T. Maheswaran. There was terror in the country at that time," he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 13

wele suda Thursday, 04 June 2015 11:02 AM

Yep. No Legal Issue with Duminda S as well.

upali Thursday, 04 June 2015 12:59 PM

But unethical, unusual and not acceptable.

Liberal One Thursday, 04 June 2015 01:07 PM

Arjun was the head of BOI when LTTE got down communication equipment through BOI concessions. That alone speaks volumes about the man in question.

Waco Thursday, 04 June 2015 01:07 PM

Your appointment was kill-regal.

gay guy Thursday, 04 June 2015 01:12 PM

PM said that Arjuna Mahendran left Sri Lanka due to fear of Rajapakse Regeme.What a lie. Arjuna mahendran and his sister were given government schols when they went abroad to study. They never were lovers of this country On the contrary they always critizised every thing in this country. Got the best out of this country and desappeared for greener pastures. PM should not lie in the Parliament and miss lead the nation.

Sikuru Thursday, 04 June 2015 03:11 PM

sir, We know that you are clean and you appointed him for his skill/exp but pls do not let this guys actions affect your name

Push Thursday, 04 June 2015 04:38 PM

Sir, but there is a moral issue.

Sena Thursday, 04 June 2015 06:44 PM

Hon Prime Ministerthe issue is when there are so many Sri Lankan who could have performed well why did you bring a person who has renounced his Sri lankan Citizenship.do not lie ,that he had threats from Rajapakse to mislead gullible young guys.he was brought because he is your personal friend and Royalist of your social group (elite or similar) .

gayan Thursday, 04 June 2015 07:49 PM

So he stole money legally. Yahapalana theory.

kondaya77 Thursday, 04 June 2015 11:23 PM

Ranil is collaborating with the Rjapakas . Nothing will happen to the members of the former regime. He is in hand and glove with them.

Nims Friday, 05 June 2015 04:48 AM

What a disgrace to all those qualified and deserving Sri Lankans. This man still justifying the bank robbery.

dulanie Friday, 05 June 2015 10:23 AM

your appointment also legally invalid

freddy Friday, 05 June 2015 10:29 AM

No issues with Mahendran because you say so, Ranil, now the issue is no confidence in you.

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No legal issue over Arjuna's appointment: Ranil

Comments - 13

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