Joint Opposition to protest Mahendran’s reappointment

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Joint Opposition yesterday reiterated its resistance over reappointing Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran after his term ends at the end of the month and insisted it would launch a weeklong protest outside the Central Bank to push President Maithripala Sirisena to make a fresh appointment. 

MP Dinesh Gunawardena demanded President Maithripala Sirisena appoint a dynamic professional as the governor instead of reappointing the same person who he claimed was responsible forSri Lanka’s economic crisis. 

“The Central Bank should be handed over to someone who has expertise in fiscal management. Most of former governors we had served the country without running scams,” he stated.

Speaking to reporters, former Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman D.E.W. Gunasekara alleged that not only the Joint Opposition but also economic professionals such as former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratnerecommended not reappointing Mahendran.

“Jayaratne has written to COPE about the disadvantages of reappointing Mahendran and he has voiced his personal objection. As we learnt, average officers of the Central Bank also hold the same opinion,” he noted.

Gunasekara added he had accurate details about Mahendran’s deals, but would not reveal them until the Government commenced an unbiased investigation about the controversial bonds scam.

Meanwhile, MP Bandula Gunawardena said the Joint Opposition would launch a protest from 24-30 June starting from 11 a.m. in front of the Central Bank against the reappointment. He said politicians, professionals and Government officialswould also participate in the protest.