Speculation is rife that Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne will be appointed as the new Central Bank Governor, after incumbent Governor Arjuna Mahendran's exit. 

If President Sirisena decides to appoint Wickramaratne as the Central Bank Governor, he will have to step down from his Parliamentary seat and the deputy ministerial portfolio. 

Wickramaratne is also the UNP organiser for Moratuwa. 

Before taking to politics, Wickramaratne held a top position in the banking sector. Sources from the Presidential Secretariat told Asian Mirror that the President and the Prime Minister have already held a round of discussion on the next Central Bank Governor.

Meanwhile, Central Bank sources told Asian Mirror that Deputy Governor P.Samarasiri was also a main contender for the top post at the Central Bank. 

President Sirisena is likely to make the announcement on the new Central Bank Governor this week.

Incumbent Governor Mahendran will officially step down from his position on June 30, with the end of his first term in office.