Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran will be on leave until the probe into the Treasury bond issue is completed, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament a short while ago.

The Central Bank Governor was in the spotlight recently due to the controversy regarding the Treasury bond issue. Mahendran was accused of insider dealing, in which a company with connections to his son-in-law allegedly profited.

Political parties including Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Jathika Hela Urumaya demanded the resignation of Mahendran at least until the probe into the incident is completed. The Prime Minister appointed a committee to investigate the issue recently.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva told media that the committee is unacceptable as it has connections with the United National Party.