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​Mahendran to take leave during probe

17 March 2015 02:19 am - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Central bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran said he's going on leave while a committee investigates allegations that one of his family members benefited unduly from a sale of treasury bonds last month.

Mahendran said by phone Monday he will hand over operations to P Samarasiri, a deputy governor, during the probe. He'll be in Sri Lanka and will assist with the investigation, he said.

"I am very clear in my mind that I have not done anything wrong," Mahendran said.

Mahendran took charge of the central bank following President Maithripala Sirisena's election win in January. The allegations risk damaging the reputation of Sirisena, who had accused predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa of enriching family members during his decade-long rule.

Opposition lawmakers said the bonds were issued at an above-market interest rate and mostly sold to Mahendran's son- in-law.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will address parliament on Tuesday after appointing a three-member committee to conduct the probe, media secretary Saman Athaudahetti said by phone.

The central bank said on Feb. 27 that it sold 10 billion rupees ($75 million) of 30-year bonds at a coupon rate of 12.5 percent, after saying it would offer 1 billion rupees of debt. Mahendran said the government was trying to sell bonds through public auctions rather than private placements.

The "urgent attention of the government has been drawn in to the different opinions expressed" on the Feb. 27 bond sale, the presidential secretariat website said on March 11.

"The Government will take the necessary future action after observing the findings of the committee," it said.(Bloomberg)

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  Comments - 23

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  • Janaka Tuesday, 17 March 2015 12:39 PM

    So,, now they started,, Hmmm... mostly sold to son-in-law....what was he thinking... this will not come out...at the end of the day,, we are played by everyone when they get the power at any level.. nothing will change in this country,, it is a sad story,,,how many of these games played by these guys go unnoticed,, need to dig more,, there is more hidden.....Poor voters,,,voting for a change,,expecting a better future,, same games but different color...what is the fate of future generation????

    Mevan Tuesday, 17 March 2015 08:37 PM

    We have had enough of your type over the past ten years. Please do not come back.

    navin Tuesday, 17 March 2015 03:33 PM

    Sri lankan people needs to sort their mind first. Good MR is gone at least now. because of his poor management skill everyone started looting. but now with this government with uneducated people in country it takes at least another 30 years only to recover from the damages.

    Freebird Tuesday, 17 March 2015 03:11 PM

    where is our Harsa specilist in economic matters. why he is silent on this issue via DM Android App

    Saman Tuesday, 17 March 2015 03:10 PM

    Ravi K,Arjun M,Raj Rajarathnam are good buddies since there Royal College Primary time keep up good fellowship Buddies,

    saman Tuesday, 17 March 2015 02:59 PM

    IO Sirisena......is this yahapaalanaya???

    Ebathog Tuesday, 17 March 2015 02:49 PM

    Let us wait for the report, analyze it and them comment. Criticizing without facts is not going to benefit the nation. The hypocrites are all out to disrupt the process.

    Satha Tuesday, 17 March 2015 02:47 PM

    What ever may be the the enquiry is going on and the findings will be out very soon and the answer will be clear.

    Ananda Tuesday, 17 March 2015 02:37 PM

    For 50 days Rs. 5000 million, what will happen if this guy stay for 500 days, Rs. 5000*10.No one can save this land.

    chux Tuesday, 17 March 2015 01:50 PM

    Lets wait for the RW statement after the investigation.

    hiran Gunawardena Tuesday, 17 March 2015 01:24 PM

    YAHAPALANAYA trying to whitewash him via DM Android App

    Eds Tuesday, 17 March 2015 01:01 PM

    Ravi K was also very clear in his mind when he raped Sathosa!

    Manik Tuesday, 17 March 2015 08:35 AM

    He must leave for good.

    Leena Tuesday, 17 March 2015 12:34 PM

    @TONY. But wheels require spokes?

    Cheers Tuesday, 17 March 2015 12:14 PM

    How can he get leave as he only just started his job so even leave is a jilmart now also like Back door citizenship God bless the new govt and the changes people the voters taken for a big ride shame

    Nims Tuesday, 17 March 2015 12:08 PM

    Bet, he will never return if he is allowed to leave the country. At least the government must prevent him from going overseas. DO NOT LET IT HAPPEN. YOU WILL FACE AN ELECTION IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS

    Piyasinghe Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:56 AM

    This is not yahapalanaya. We will think twice to whom to vote at paliamentary election.

    Upali Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:55 AM

    How can person be on leave whilst investigations are pending? He should be either suspended or dismissed..

    Francis Benedict Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:51 AM

    It is evident there is a conflickt of intrest plese RESIGN AND GO WITHOUT DAMAGING THIS GOVERNMENT FURTHER - WHITE COLOR CRIMINALS

    TONY Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:32 AM

    BOTH HE AND RANIL SHOULD LEAVE FOR GOOD. RW IS A SPOKE IN THE WHEEL OF TRANSPARENT PROGRESS

    Ranil Wijeyesekera Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:17 AM

    Transperency is required now. What were the other bidders interest rate and time of completion. It is said that the in law had bought bonds recently. W@hat were these purchases amount interest and period of repayment. What are the forecasts in the bond market. What are the requirements over the next two months for funds. Who is responsible for giving requirements for purchsing. Was the Prime Minister in the know. guidelines minimum amnd maximum for bids.

    Premalal Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:08 AM

    You should have gone with honour or whatever was left of it. Now you are carried out kicking and screaming.

    indika Tuesday, 17 March 2015 08:52 AM

    Ranil


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