Mahendran signs his way into fresh controversy

Friday, 5 May 2017 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The legitimacy of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran signing a local currency note came under fire yesterday in Parliament.

UPFA Joint Opposition Parliamentarian Bandula Gunwardena challenged the validity of currency notes bearing Mahendran’s signature while highlighting the court ruling on UPFA Joint Opposition MP Geetha Kumarasinghe’s dual citizenship.

Gunwardena, tabling a Rs. 100 currency note issued with the signature of Mahendran, said: “Arjuna Mahendran is a Singa-porean citizen. A Singaporean citizen cannot obtain dual citizenship. Despite that Mahendran was appointed the Governor of the Central Bank. Currency notes were issued under his signature.

“If currency notes signed by a non-Sri Lankan citizen are valid, how can MP Kumarasinghe, who even withdrew her dual citizenship, be disqualified from holding a parliamentary seat? Mahendran had not even taken oaths as per the Constitution when he assumed duties,” MP Gunawardena said. (AH)