Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake stated that the Central Bank during the tenure of the “good governance” government was under the control of then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, not him. He made these remarks during a media briefing in response to a query about the controversial Central Bank bond issue.
Karunanayake explained that state banks, too, were not under his purview but rather under the responsibility of Kabir Hashim, another Cabinet minister at the time. He expressed frustration over being accused of involvement in the bond issue, which he described as unrelated to him.
He emphasized his professional background as a chartered accountant and highlighted his recognition as Asia’s best Finance Minister during his tenure. He argued that such accusations are politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation and obstruct his political career.
“If I were truly guilty, I wouldn’t be able to continue in public life as I do now. I am not involved in politics for personal gain. These accusations are baseless and aim to hinder those who perform well from progressing,” he stated.
Karunanayake also criticized the political culture in Sri Lanka, saying that efforts to discredit individuals often target those who show potential for success. He concluded by affirming his commitment to his career and professional integrity despite the challenges posed by such allegations.
The Central Bank bond issue remains a contentious topic in Sri Lanka, with investigations focusing on alleged misconduct during the issuance of treasury bonds in 2015 and 2016.
