Opposition says documents for Mahendran extradition already sent

• Mahinda Amaraweera says President has done everything in his power

The Opposition yesterday rejected statements that the Government had failed to send all required documents to begin extradition procedures for former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, insisting that what was required had been supplied via diplomatic channels.    

Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera, explaining to Parliament the reasons for President Maithripala Sirisena to charge that the Government of Singapore was sheltering Mahendran, despite requests from Sri Lanka for extradition, held that necessary documents were sent without a delay but they were ignored by Singapore.

According to Amaraweera, who said he recently consulted Sirisena on the matter, the Singaporeans will be briefed soon as the required documents had already been sent. “The President has done everything in his capacity. The President also made a private request when he met the Singaporean Prime Minister,” he added.

Singapore, in response to Sirisena’s allegation, stated that it could not begin extradition procedures because necessary documents had not been made available, but stopped short of disclosing what the documents were.

However, JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, referring to the Chief Opposition Whip’s reply on behalf of the Government, said: “I wanted a reply from the Government, but it is the UPFA which replied.” (AH)