President, PM Hold Discussions With Central Bank Officials

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with the Central Bank this afternoon.

The President said that it was important to discuss the state of the country with relevant officials.

He added that he will also be meeting officials of the Finance Ministry, Inland Revenue Department and Customs Department.

President Sirisena also stressed that the officials at Central Bank, Finance Ministry and Inland Revenue Department have specialists in economy and they may have independent, creative ideas which are valuable for the development of the country.

There was speculation that the President would name a successor to the post of Central Bank Governor today. Speaking at an event this morning, he had said that a new Central Bank Governor will be appointed within a few hours.

Arjuna Mahendran has already said that he will not seek a service extension as Central Bank Governor. Mahendran is accused of corruption and is being investigated by the COPE.