Conspiracy to remove CBSL Governor? Opposition raises alarm

by Staff Writer 02-09-2022 | 1:32 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged there is a conspiracy afoot to remove Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

Sajith Premadasa said when the Central Bank Governor was invited to the Parliament on Wednesday (31) to apprise the member on "The Current Economic Status and the way forward”, several MPs put forward statements in the nature of making allegations.

He said that in Parliament on Thursday (1) certain remarks were made to insinuate that the Central Bank Governor was responsible for the present state of the economy.

Sajith Premadasa warned that if attempts are being made to drive away the Central Bank Governor who made sacrifices and returned to the country in a bid to appoint henchmen as the Head of the Central Bank, it can be viewed as a conspiracy, and it cannot be accepted.

He slammed the government for such conduct, adding that invitations for an All-Party Government are turned down solely because of such conduct.

Leader of the House & Minister Susil Premajayantha said when allegations are made it is wise to understand the past issues as well.

Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance Dr. Harsha De Silva slammed the allegation that claims the Central Bank Governor acted on his whim and fancy to lead the country into the dire straits it is in today.

He said the Hansard would bear witness to the claims made by Former State Minister of Money and Capital Markets Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who spoke on behalf of the Finance Minister, stating that Sri Lanka had over USD 2 Billion in Reserves.

He said Cabraal misled the Parliament, and the Government and slammed the ruling faction for spreading propaganda that Dr. Nandala Weerasinghe was responsible for the economic crisis.

Former Finance Minister President's Counsel Ali Sabry said he was in a dilemma on whether to service debt or use the money for essentials, citing that there were limited reserves at the time, and defended the decisions made by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

SJB MP Eran Wickremeratne stressed to Parliament that Former Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal must be held accountable along with his group of officers for the present status of Sri Lanka's Economy.

He also reminded the house that it was Cabraal who made a public statement that there was no relationship between money printing and the depreciation of the local rupee in the foreign currency market.