Several top UNP politicians have proposed to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, that Dinesh Weerakkody be appointed as Governor of Central bank instead of extending the period of Arjuna Mahendran as CB Governor. Economist Dinesh Weerakkody, is the son-in-law of minister John Amaratunga.
Some in the government openly campaign against extending Mahendran’s term, and it would not be good for the future of the government to ask the president to reappoint him, they have explained to the PM.
However, the PM insisted Mahendran should remain, noting that even the courts have recognized that the allegations against him were completely false.
He described the campaign to expel the CB governor as a political project against him, and alleged certain persons banished from the UNP were leading that conspiracy.
Minister Lakshman Kiriella said on June 14 there would be no change in the CB governor position, but on the following day cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said he strongly opposed giving an extension for Mahendran.
