Mahendran Will Not Be Reappointed Until Investigations Conclude: Puravesi Balaya

Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran will not be given a service extension after June 30, until the investigations of the controversial bond issue at Central Bank is investigated, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has promised the Puravesi Balaya organization.

Veteran writer and Spokesman for Puravesi Balaya Gamini Viyangoda told BBC Sandeshaya that representatives of Puravesi Balaya and Movement for a Just Society had a discussion with the Prime Minister on Saturday evening regarding several issues including Mahendran's service extension.

The representatives requested the PM not to reappoint Mahendran as Central Bank Governor until investigations conclude, he said.

He added that the Prime Minister agreed to their request.

Viyangoda also said that the President and the Prime Minister were aware of the damage Mahendran's reappointment would cause to the good governance concept.

If he is found to be innocent of any wrongdoing, then he could be reappointed, Viyangoda stated.

Speaking about the Supreme Court directive on Mahendran, Viyangoda said that it was not directly related to the bond issue.

Minister Lakshman Kiriella had recently commented that Mahendran had been cleared by the Supreme Court.