President laments lack of support from Singaporean govt. to extradite Mahendran

President Maithripala Sirisena today (Mar 18) claimed that Singaporean authorities were yet to support the extradition of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran.

President Sirisena made these remarks while addressing the 4th National Action Plan for Combating Bribery and Corruption. Mr Sirisena said he attended the United Nations Environment Programme in Singapore recently in order to hold talks with the Singaporean government on the extradition of Mr. Mahendran. 

However,  Mr Sirisena said Singapore  had yet to clarify whether former Central Bank governor Mahendran was residing in their country or not.

President Sirisena while expressing satisfaction over the investigations carried out by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe into the bond scam,  lamented that the main suspect in the case had not been arrested yet. 

Mr. Sirisena further claimed that the government of Singapore was displaying a hesitant approach despite INTERPOL alerts being issued on Mr Mahendran and despite assurances by the Singaporean Prime Minister to extend  support with regard to the extradition.

"However, the Singaporean government has failed to act in this regard todate. I won't be worried if these remarks reach the Singaporean government," Mr. Sirisena added.