28 March, 2024

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Arjuna Mahendran Makes A Comeback

Controversial ex-Governor of the Central Bank, Arjuna Mahendran has made a comeback to hold a new high profile position under the Yahapalanaya Government with the blessings of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mahendran, who had to make an undignified exit as the country’s 13th Governor of Central Bank due to his alleged involvement in a Treasury Bond scandal, has been appointed by Wickremesinghe as the ‘Head of the Sri Lanka Five Year Development Plan’ and is currently part of Wickremesinghe’s official delegation to Singapore.

Mahendran, a citizen of Singapore, is under investigation by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) over his alleged involvement in the bond scandal which resulted in the country losing a staggering Rs. 1.6 billion.Ranil Mahendran

However, shunning public perception, Wickremesinghe has brought back Mahendran into the Government folds, even before he has been cleared from corruption charges.

Earlier, Wickremesinghe denied allegations that he was protecting Mahendran, and added that he was yet to be proven guilty. Despite, the Auditor General implicating Mahendran in his 1200 page report, clandestine moves are underway by the UNP to jeopardize the independence of the COPE, in an effort to clear Mahendran from any wrong doing with regard to the bond scandal.

Following orders from the UNP leadership, UNP Parliamentarian M. Velu Kumar who was a member of COPE tendered his resignation early this month, to make way for Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe to take Velu Kumar’s seat in the Parliamentary Committee. Soon after the Auditor General handed over his report, several UNP members in their attempt to defend Mahendran had insisted that the report be sent to an independent expert for their opinion on grounds that the Auditor General’s opinion alone cannot be accepted.

In June, the Auditor General complained to COPE that Mahendran, who was the Governor then had refused to provide information pertaining to the bond transactions. Subsequent to the complaint, COPE summoned Mahendran and ordered him to provide all details with regard to the transactions to the Auditor General. (By Munza Mushtaq @ Colombo Telegraph)

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Latest comments

  • 19
    3

    Jockerman’s term expired but there was no constructive evidence tabled against him.
    India/pakistan Lanka- Election and votes are purchased!
    Modi had to pay back US $5 billion so he and Arun put their hands in the RBI pot and Dr R.R. refused to have any further involvement after Sept 2016.

    Ranil had to pay back the billions of election expenses so the bond issue.
    Ranil needs the jockerman for further adjustments.

    • 4
      2

      Arjun paid the ultimate price and rightly so.

      How come the following escaped?

      1 Bank of Ceylon board and senior management for providing credit to the primary dealer
      2 CBSL public debt dept officials
      3 EPF senior management fir buying the controversial bonds in the secondary market
      4 Monetary board members

  • 16
    3

    If anyone has any doubt that Sri Lanka politics is the pits just look at how these Yahapalanaya clowns is taking us all for a ride.

    All Sri Lankan politicians are rogues who don’t give a damn about the perception of the voter. They will do what they do best – bury their filthy snouts in the gravy train.

    • 10
      3

      The present leader of opposition and present PM crawled on all fours during MR1 regime- leaving the rest to the gods.

      before due, MR1 gave the loving citizen a chance to vote and the muslim/tamil
      en bloc decided to oust him.

      Now the stupid citizen is enjoying the spoils- Samsara.

  • 10
    7

    Singapore Mahendran is the conduit between Batalanada Ranil, Bodhi Sira Government and the ex Tiger supporter Tamil Diaspora.

    Batalanada Ranil’s main agenda is driven by the needs of the Diasapora.

    Otherwise How on earth a PM can spend 3 full days, entertaining and socializing with the Diaspora who financed 30 year Tamil Terrorism which brought Srilnaka to its knees.

    And add insult to injury, Batalanada Ranil had the gall to present his 10 year plan to Suren Surendran, even before Yahapalana suckers in the A list in Colombo,

    Here are the highlights of Batalanada Ranil’s presentation to the Diaspora Convention of the British Tiger Forum. BTF.

    * First person of any significance to arrive in Thamabapani aka Swarnaboomi was KAUNDINYA who was a Thmil Brahamin.

    ( How cool is that . Kuweni descendants among the Elite in Colombo eat your heart out ) .

    * Sell all Government properties and businesses starting with Srilanakan Airlines , 5 Star Hotels , Lanka Hospital, Airports and Harbours and Toll Roads.

    * Spend USD 40 Billion to build the Megapolis to accommodate 8.5 Million by 2025.

    * And flood it with Medical, IT and Intellectual Industries with free access to Indians with the ETCA.

    * Build Power Plants, Chemical Storage, Assembly Plants and Garbage Disposal Units in Hamabanatota.

    * Have separate Legal Code for Port City and Colombo Harbour, which will be open to all South Indian States where Tamils live, with free access in every aspect.

    And The PM finished off with an Iron Clad guarantee that he will have the ETCA before the Colombo Elite smell the Ham this coming X Mas.

    Are you guys surprised that the Singapaorean has a new Gig now?.

  • 5
    1

    Well done munza mustak keep the fire burning. Don’t let Mr Mahendran to do any work in Srtlanka.
    Keep it up you have the backing of IZ, CJ and many other SBs.

  • 8
    1

    Can we all agree the Pastor’s son, Eran Wickremaratne, has sacrificed his credibility and self respect for a Ministerial position?

    The less we allow the better educated politicians amongst us to dance to verbal poetry, the easier it will be for the masses to understand that Public Service and Public benefit are only in the history books.

    Senasinghe is a uncouth low esteem individual whose verbal barrages have been entertaining, when he was in the opposition. Today, he is also feeding himself and his brothers in the trough. His appointment to COPE was to disrupt the proceedings related to the Central Report.

    Watching Ravi Karunanayake explain how a Committee of Auditors ( Appointed by Mr. Clean I guess) will be better than just A SINGLE AUDITOR GENERAL is like expecting the thieves to suggest their own justice system.

    Major democracies manage to get their crooked politicians and public officials into jail without much hindrance from the rest. In Sri Lanka the uneducated and compromised media helps the crooked and criminal politicians twist and turn the facts to make them look insignificant. There is no better example than the explanations provided by the government about the Central Bank scandal, the Coal tender scandal, Sri Lankan Airlines mis-management and and and. I have not even mentioned the ruling family from the previous administration…

  • 8
    16

    Arjuna Mahendran, has been accused, but yet not found guilty. He was not dismissed nor did he resign, but left his post, because his term of office expired and was not renewed. These are the facts.

    He has a right to employment, if someone appreciates and requires his skills. Apparently, the Prime Minister appreciates his skills. If Arjuna Nahendran is found guilty by the Supreme Court, he has to be punished and sent to jail. I am glad he is in the country and within its jurisdiction, to defend himself.

    Dr,Rahasingham Narendran

    • 10
      2

      If someone is accused (serious crime punishable to be jailed) and an inquiry is pending will you appoint him to an important position though he has the skill? I am surprised at your judgement! I wont if he was the only friend I had in the world!!

      • 5
        7

        Ruwan,

        In our law a person is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty and the onus to prove the person guilty irests on the prosecution.

        Dr.RN

        • 4
          2

          “”In our law..”

          outlaw in cuckoo land laying eggs.

        • 5
          3

          Dr.RN

          I usually find your comments well balanced . However in this case your stance on AM is quite uncharacteristic. No right thinking person would have offered him a position so quickly – unless of course it happens to be a VVIP with a very guilty conscience.

          • 5
            3

            What happened was an extra-judicial witch hunt ,a street corner trial and lynching of sorts. Whether it be Sarath Fonseka, Shirani Bandaranayake or Arjuna Mahendran, I take the same stand. He should be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Ultimately, this is what I demand for every citizen, including those in the last government who stand accused of various grave crimes.

            Dr.RN

            • 3
              1

              This dude doesn’t know what insider trading is !!!!!

            • 2
              1

              NO! the accusation of AM was not a witch hunt. Either you have not looked at what took place and you are totally ignorant which I doubt very much or you are blindly supporting AM for reasons!only known to you! if you don’t know what happened then you should watch the following video prior to responding to my comment!!

              http://www.helabimatv.com/view.php?as=121428

        • 5
          2

          You are absolutely correct! You will not punish him but his credibility is questionable! If he was with MR clan he would have been in jail!

        • 0
          0

          Then what about all the previous regime leaders who are in jail now? They should be presumed innocent until proven guilty but are jailed with or without bail.
          Mahendran should be eating jail rice now not appointed to another high profile position! More than anything else, he should be kicked back to Singapore – where he can rot in his fancy pants!

    • 1
      1

      Living in Alice’s wonderland Dr.Narendran ?

  • 3
    1

    “Soon after the Auditor General handed over his report, several UNP members in their attempt to defend Mahendran had insisted that the report be sent to an independent expert for their opinion on grounds that the Auditor General’s opinion alone cannot be accepted.”

    So let me get this straight. When the international community states that no one both inside and outside Sri Lanka trusts its bureaucracy and its justice system and says international judges are needed to head up the war tribunals, the government’s stance is that this is unnecessary. When their own henchman is in trouble and the Auditor General makes a report, suddenly there’s a need for ‘independent experts’.

    Amusing logic. Or lack thereof.

  • 7
    2

    Two of the most important things for a Prime Minister or a President to aspire to, is confidence and respect of a nation, in them.

    Ranil is doing everything possible to subvert just that.

  • 7
    2

    Arrogance of a rare type!! Of course, all the better! More opportunities for their favourite questionable “deals”.

    Poor little Sri Lanka.

  • 10
    2

    Oh dear! Is there no end to Ranil’s arrogance, obstinacy and his misguided concept of ‘loyalty’? Not to mention, of course, his utter disregard for the views of those who voted for him???

    Looks like this guy is just pleading to get booted out at the next election!

  • 7
    2

    Stubborn RW will never learn

  • 6
    2

    This Mahendran has become such a parasite. It’s disgusting.

  • 9
    3

    Bloody [Edited out]Mahendran go and rob somewhere else. Ronil will be wiped out at the next local council elections as very few have filled electoral form.Without the UNP vote he is finished. Bloody fool does not understand the heart beat of the masses.[Edited out] no progess only demonstraions .

  • 7
    6

    I mean,….7 billion pieces of silver is stupendous!….but can someone give the risk analysis of this?

  • 8
    3

    Hon. PM

    Country first please; keep your buddies aside to set an example.

  • 3
    8

    Why do you guys always assume the Sri Lankan diaspora is always Tamil?
    I live in Singapore and can assure you the majority of Sri Lankans here are are Sinhala, although they are yet to reach the heights of a few of Lankan Tamil decent brought here by the Brits pre-independence.
    Go do your homework without talking silly buggers

    • 6
      3

      You live under the TV or on keyboard??

      Like the medieval Middle East the best product of the island after 1948??

      Sri Lankan domestic workers form a large number of the 150,000 maids in Singapore- all on 2 year contracts renewable- you a stupid agent

  • 3
    0

    the only way to keep a person quiet is to have him close to you.

    This job is more suitable for mahendran and he should do well at it.However he should be careful that he does not become a reusable condom.

  • 6
    1

    I cannot understand why the people are worried on this appointment. After all he is qualified and posses necessary work experience to hold a position that relates to his skills. For your information, yesterday it was revealed in Parliament that a “Buddhist Priest” from the Kandy District has been appointed as a “Consultant” and attached to the Kelaniya Bridge Project on an all inclusive emoluments of Rs. 65,000.00 per month. The appointment has been made by the Minister of Road Development Mr. Kiriella. When that was revealed in Parliament, this Prime Minister who made the appointment of Mr. Arjuna Mahendran was seated next to the Minister of Road Development who was providing explanations on those 53 appointments of “Consultants”. What does all these reveal. Nothing but INSENSITIVITY and ARROGANCE that make a man a BEAST.

  • 8
    1

    In all countries the governor of the central bank is an independent person not subject to the influence of those in power. He need not be dictated by politicians. That is why it is such an important position and protected by many legal protections including tenure of office.

    But in this case, it seems Mahendran and Ranil are like brothers. This being the truth, could mahendran have ever acted independently or was he there just to carry out the orders of Ranil ?

    To me this is ample proof that ranil cannot be expected to make good appointments and is not fit to hold the position of prime minister.He betrays the country to protect his friend.He insulted all of us when he appointed 3 unp lawyers to investigate his friend .He said that all that we know aboutBonds is James Bond. How much does this lawyer Ranil know about Bonds ?

    Dont talk about MR etc because the people rejected him

  • 4
    1

    “Following orders from the UNP leadership, UNP Parliamentarian M. Velu Kumar who was a member of COPE tendered his resignation early this month, to make way for Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe to take Velu Kumar’s seat in the Parliamentary Committee. Soon after the Auditor General handed over his report, several UNP members in their attempt to defend Mahendran had insisted that the report be sent to an independent expert for their opinion on grounds that the Auditor General’s opinion alone cannot be accepted.”

    The above is the work of the biggest political SCHEMER alive today in Sri Lanka. He learnt the art of deception from his uncle. He will fail just like his uncle did but unfortunately poor citizens have to pay the price. History never lies. You the readers can guess who the biggest political schemer is?

  • 2
    0

    DOUGLAS.

    Hear!Hear!
    We need you to be our watch dog!
    Of course,I DO NOT MEAN IT IN A NEGATIVE SENSE,BUT ONLY IN A LITERARY SENSE.
    Go ahead putha,we need more exposures of this corruption!

  • 4
    4

    Mahendran is a shameless bloke to retun to Sri Lanka. He has tarnished his image and won’t be able to secure any top job in Singapore. Who needs a person like him who qas subjected to public condemnation. This is why he is eying for a top job back in SL. President should use is powers to prevent such moves of our cunning PM Ranil. IT IS PITY THAT WE CAN’T FIND A TRUSTWORTHY PERSON IN SRI LANKA. ALL ARE CORRUPTED INDIVIDUALS EVEN SMALL OR BIG.

    ALL GENUINE LERNERD BLOKES HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRYOVER MANY YEARS. THIS CORRUPTION TREND IS HARD TO REVERSE IN THE SHORT TERM OF YAHAPALANA GOVERNMENT.

    GOD BLESS SRI LANKA.

  • 3
    5

    Arjun’s dad was my class master in the second form(he is still around) and he was a dynamic person so in the same vein his son too was in that category bursting with knowledge and capability inspite of the wild accusations thrown at him by his critics which has never been proved.
    They say you can never put a good man down dont they?

    • 3
      1

      Colliewobbles,

      “They say you can never put a good man down dont they?”

      Never say `never` . there are many dead missionaries and many good men in jail.

      “wild accusations thrown at him by his critics which has never been proved.”

      Never mind it stinks because: Truth is the daughter of time not of authority-Francis Bacon

      How did Ranil pay for the election billions??
      Modi and Arun tried it but failed (US$5 billion) then Swamy shot Dr R.R. over Modi shoulder.

      it takes two to tango. Masters and bullfrogs have common denominators; both have big heads that consists mostly of mouth.

    • 0
      0

      Look where you are and your father when he was alive. That must give you a good clue for you to wake-up. If you are desensitized to corruption, no one can help you. Enjoy the ride.

  • 1
    0

    colin..

    I thought Arjun Mahendrans father Charlie Mahendran was a career Diplomat?

    • 3
      3

      Mr/Charlie Mahendran started hs career as a master at Royal and I still hold my report card signed by him.I recall he coming to College in his Vespa scooter and his best pal at that time was Mr.Wariyapola another respected Master. They are both alive and mr.Wariyapola’s son is now a renowned Eye Surgeon.
      Charlie Mahendran later on joined the Foreign Service where he did extremely well and was Ambassador for SL in Japan.

      • 3
        2

        Sounds like a clerical jerk?

        we have seen school teacher kids and kids Arjun was nothing big.

        the easiest job is school teacher and tuition fees.

        Where are the royal school engineers when the mahaweli leaks?/ you have none.
        Born and lived Colombo 7 but Royal was anathema to us in industry.

  • 1
    3

    You brainless uneducated Sri Lankans have to give it to the PM. That he handpicked people with good education& caliber for jobs he wants done in SL.
    It doesn’t matter from what part of the world the person is from apart from the fact that he is qualified & can take on a desperate situation & turn it around.
    There’s been a lot of negative press in SL ,specially in the Daily Mirror Group which belongs to THE PM’s uncle & the the elephant son , deputy minister of Defence.
    The other Media outlet SIRASA who got the current governor his post thro the President is because mr Killi (parrot nose)
    Thinks he’s all powerful as he did the Predidents media campaign for free.
    So the President who understands nothing & cannot forget that tho he is SLFP MEMBER HE WAS VOTED INTO POWER BY THE UNP.
    Except the fact that he got free publicity from Sirass, so he has or is compelled to take order from Mr Parrot nose

  • 5
    0

    It may be that Arjuna is making a come back , Ranil on the other hand is on the way out! He thinks his arrogance of over looking the massive objections of the people which got Mahendran kicked out can be dismissed . People will with out doubt show this Pr— very soon what they can do .

  • 2
    0

    So what is this bond scandal…? Arjuna told the fisherman’s son that he was going to buy more bonds…while they were having dinner the day before…is that it? How the hell are you going to prove anything as fishy as that?

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