While many parties are raising concerns about the progress of the extradition process of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Arjuna Mahendran, who is, among others, allegedly responsible for the Treasury bond scams that took place in 2015, the Government stated that certain legal issues have impeded the process.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday (25), Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that the Government is working with the relevant agencies to facilitate his extradition to Sri Lanka. “There is a legal barrier, but we are making every possible effort to bring him back,” he said.

However, Dr. Jayatissa also said that the related legal proceedings will continue without interruption, regardless of whether Mahendran is extradited or not. “Whether he is here or not, the legal actions will proceed. We remember that the then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that Mahendran left for Singapore after informing him. As a former Premier, he has a responsibility to bring him back,” he added.

Meanwhile, in response to a media query about the alleged involvement of Wickremesinghe in the said scams and the accountability that he holds, given that he has not been named as an accused in any related legal cases, Dr. Jayatissa stated that ongoing legal proceedings and inquiries will examine Wickremesinghe's role in the incident. “For this, the extradition of Mahendran is crucial,” he said.