COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is to expect a favourable response from the Singapore Attorney General shortly concerning the extradition of Arjuna Mahendran, said Attorney General Dappula De Livera in an Exclusive to News 1st’s Zulfick Farzan on Wednesday (12).

Sri Lanka applied for the extradition of the fugitive Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, who is wanted for his role in the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scams, in 2019.

Attorney General Dappula De Livera speaking to News 1st said he has discussed the matter with the Attorney General of Singapore on multiple occasions over the phone and in writing over the progress of the extradition request.

“Though there has been a delay in the extradition, we are confident that we can secure Mahendran’s presence in Sri Lanka to face trial and the pre-conditions that we were required to fulfill for this extradition have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled,” said the Attorney General.

‘I think we will receive a favourable response from the Singapore government about the extradition of Arjuna Mahendran,” said De Livera.

The Attorney General stressed it was decided to move against Arjuna Mahendran on the March 2016 Central Bank Treasury Bond Scams (Bond Scam 02 & 03) and to move the court to try the fugitive banker in absentia, while maintaining the request for extradition and the position on the 27th of February 2015 Bond Auctions.

“The extradition door is wide open and the other two trials will not be impeded by his absence,” said the Attorney General.

If Mahendran is convicted the necessary processes will be implemented, stressed the Attorney General.

• 440 prisoners to receive Special Presidential Pardon for Poson
• Broadcasting Authority Bill continues to draw criticism from many quarters
• Pakistan Navy Frigate SHAHJAHAN in Colombo
• MEPA appoints two PCs to assist AG Department in X-Press Pearl claim
• Sri Lanka and France celebrate 75 years of friendship