Debate on bond issue involving Arjun Mahendran taken up in Parliament

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa  yesterday  allowed a two hour debate on the committee report that looked into the Central Bank bond issue  dismissing objections from  government members that it should not be allowed.

Chief Government Whip Lakshman Kiriella said that the matter  should not be taken up as   the Speaker decidedon Tuesday that the matter involving the Central Bank Governor should be referred to either  a Parliamentary Select Committee or COPE and once a report on the matter is compiled t should be taken up for debate.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeinghe too took similar stance and said that the committee report had probed bond issues that had taken place since 2012 and there were references to the irregularities committed during the time of the former Governor Ajith Nivad Cabraal in it as well. As the Premier read sections from the report, it leads to a heated argument between the Prime Minister and    MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara during which obscenities were hurled at Mr.Wickremesinghe by Mr.Nanayakkara.

During the two hour long debate opposition members questioned why a Singaporean national was appointed to the post of Governor and who is the political force behind him that is shielding his wrong doing.

MP G.L.Peiris said that Mr.Mahendran has pledged allegiance to Singapore and has no interest in safeguarding the interests of Sri Lanka.

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva who seconded the motion said that the Prime Minister who made this appointment was safeguarding his bosom buddy and the committee report has failed to expose the link between the Governor and Perpetual Treasuries that belongs to his son in law that gained an unfair advantage during the bond sale.

MP Bandula Gunawardena who spoke in detail said that it was the responsibility of the President to remove Mr.Mahendran.”He was elected by the people and he has a responsibility towards them. The President must immediately remove the Governor without being afraid of certain persons,” he said.

JVP MP Anura Dissanayaka also lambasted the Government and said that a government that came to power saying it would fight bribery and corruption was going down the same path like the former regime. ”If this is the actions of the government in 100 days when an elections is pending, it will be worse if it given power for a long period,” he said.

He added that several in the Cabinet had opposed Mr.Mahendran’s appointment but the Prime Minister had said he would take personal responsibility for the appointment and got the President‘s blessing for it.

Government members who spoke were unable to respond to many of the opposition allegations. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayaka fell back on the mistakes of the former regime to counter the charges while Minister Kiriella said that it was wrong for Parliament to discuss the conduct of government officials when they could not defend themselves in the House.

Chandani Kirinde