State Minister of Money and Capital Markets Nivard Cabraal

State Minister of Money and Capital Markets Nivard Cabraal yesterday rebutted allegations by the Opposition over his impending appointment as the Central Bank Governor.

In a statement, Cabraal said SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as State Minister of Finance and as a Yahapalanaya Government stalwart, respectively, had a run of five years during which time they had ample opportunity to bring out any misdemeanours and take legal action against him.

“But, although they and their colleagues tried their utmost, they couldn’t do so, as there were no misdemeanours or offences they could prove,” Cabraal said.

He also said he never ran away, but faced every allegation and innuendo directly. Cabraal publicly answered all critics and gave an open challenge to the Yahapalanaya regime of that time, which included Wickramaratne and Dissanayake, to provide any proof of any wrongdoing by him. In response, while they continued to sling mud and innuendo, there was not a single charge that the Yahapalanaya Government could level against Cabraal.

Cabraal said he was in Parliament for over one year as an MP and State Minister. During that period, he openly faced the Opposition on many issues. But, as usual, those elements were unable to challenge Cabraal on any issue.

“At this time, when I am about to resign this Parliamentary seat and Ministry position, and thereafter take up the position of Governor of the Central Bank, these elements are now obviously terribly worried that I will bring stability to the economy and the financial sector, and consequently their dreams of regaining power will be dashed,” Cabraal said in his statement.

“In sheer desperation, therefore, they are now venomously slinging mud and attempting to distract me and the Government from staging an economic recovery,” he added.

Eran opposes Cabraal as CB Governor