by Saman Indrajith
Expressing optimism that the ongoing COPE investigation will help clear his name, Central Bank Governor, Arjuna Mahendran said that he returned from overseas to serve his motherland, and the President would decide whether he should continue in his job or not.
He confirmed that he has decided not to seek an extension of his term until COPE clears his name. “The COPE is the best forum I could prove my innocence. I am waiting for the COPE report. It is very important for my reputation”
In an interview with The Sunday Island, the Oxford trained economist and banker laughed when asked about allegations of his extravagant lifestyle and that he stayed in a suite at the JAIC Hilton.
“I simply do not know why I am accused of such matters. I neither live at JAIC Hilton or any other place paid for by the government.
Since my appointment as the Central Bank Governor, I live in my own house and visit the official residence only for official functions”, he clarified.
On the accusation of going overseas 38 times since assuming office and spending Rs.14.5 million in public funds in 11 months for ‘personal indulgences’, Mahendran replied: “These allegations are baseless. I use a credit card issued by my private bank and pocket out all my personal expenses. Had I been abroad on expenses from the Central Bank, that was only for official purposes”.
“As the Central Bank Governor, I may need to host diplomats and foreign officials. Such dining would cost little bit more than our usual meals. They cannot be done in a normal boutique. The Central Bank pays for official functions and that is the purpose of giving me that card”, he explained.
“Now my suit is known as the most expensive one in the country. I do not need to spend millions from Central Bank funds to buy clothes. These allegations are meaningless”, the Governor noted.
He said he did not comply with the Auditor General’s request to submit necessary information and details to prepare a report on all Central Bank transactions, including bond issues because there is some sensitive information that cannot be divulged to the public. There are procedures to be followed and with regard to releasing sensitive information because such actions would lead to financial sector instability.
Mahendran described as “complete nonsense” the accusation that data from the Central Bank system has been erased. “State-of-the-art standards and protection are provided to the computer system of the Central Bank as such systems face the constant threat of being hacked. You cannot erase data in the manner you would erase files from a laptop computer”.
On allegations on the bond issue, he said: “This baseless allegation went before the Supreme Court, which vindicated me in the fundamental rights petition that was filed by Chandra Jayaratne and two others on the same issue. The Supreme Court dismissed the case as I was absolutely not at fault and had not violated statutory provisions. I do not need to talk of it more than that as the COPE investigation is in progress”.
Courtesy:Sunday Island