Cabraal to file objections against writ petition

• In the event Cabraal is appointed as the Governor of Central Bank, the latter  would tamper the evidence against him

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Newly appointed Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday informed the Court of Appeal through his counsel that he is expecting to file limited objections against the writ petition filed challenging his appointment.    

Former Southern Province Governor Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon had filed this writ petition seeking an order preventing former State Minister Cabraal from functioning as the Governor of the Central Bank.   
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing for the Central Bank Governor told court that his client is expecting to file limited objections challenging the maintainability of the writ petition. De Silva said the papers relating to the petition had been served on the respondent on Tuesday (21) and thereby sought further time to peruse those documents.  

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appearing for the petitioner submitted to court that he is seeking an interim relief since there are several unfavorable transfers in the positions of Central Bank following the appointment of Ajith Nivard Cabraal.   

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola decided to fix the petition for support on October 7. The respondents were directed to file limited objections on September 30.   
Through his petitioner, Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon is also seeking a Writ of Mandamus to compel the Attorney General and IGP to take legal action against Ajith Nivard Cabraal considering evidence available within the Forensic Audit Report.  
The petitioner had named Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Central Bank Governor Cabraal, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundara, Inspector General of Police, Central Bank Deputy Governor T. M. J. Y. P. Fernando and Attorney General as respondents.  

The petitioner states that according to the forensic Report pertaining to the review period of (“1 January 2002 to 28 February 2015”) calculated that the Central bank of Sri Lanka had incurred losses between Rs.10.4 – 10.6 Billion from 2005 to 2015 to the Sri Lanka Government, whilst Ajith Nivard Cabraal was the head of the Central bank.  
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appeared for the petitioner. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Palitha Kumarasiri and counsel Niran Anketell under the instructions of Attorney-at-law Sanath Wijewardane appeared for the Governor and Deputy Governor of Central Bank. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.     

• Cabraal is under so much scrutiny over his own actions during his tenure at the CBSL for the time period from 2006 to 2015
• CBSL had incurred losses between Rs.10.4 – 10.6 Billion from 2005 to 2015 to    whilst Ajith Nivard Cabraal was the head of the Central bank.