Former AG as bank chairman: a rejoinder

I was intrigued to read Ranvijith Fernando’s letter about Mohan Peiris’s appointment as the Chairman of the Seylan Bank.

Fernando’s letter confirms to me that he is not writing letters on principle, but on other personal considerations.

Therefore, let me try to jog Ranvijith Fernando’s memory a little bit.

When Ranjith Fernando was appointed as a Secretary during the UNP regime and appointed to the Board of Commercial Bank, Ranvijith Fernando did not seem to think that there was anything wrong with such appointment.

Ravinjith Fernando also did not make any comments when C. R. de Silva, also a former Attorney General and Chairman of LLRC was nominated to the Cargills Agriculture and Commercial Bank Board and when W. A. Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank was appointed to the Board of Heraymila Securities Ltd, a primary dealer.

So, it is obvious that Ranvijith Fernando is targeting his criticism only against persons who are supportive of the current Government and not others. Mohan Peiris is an outstanding lawyer, who also is doing his duty by the country by serving at various state institutions and that should really be a plus factor for his appointment and not a negative feature as alleged by Ranvijith Fernando.

 Lalith Kaariyawasam

Colombo 5.