Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister has admitted that legal barriers in Singapore are blocking the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, a key figure in the country’s bond scam scandal.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says that Sri Lanka has not abandoned its efforts to arrest former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, who is wanted in connection with the infamous Central Bank bond scam. According to the minister, Mahendran has changed his name, obtained Singaporean citizenship, and is now residing in Singapore.
Minister Wijepala revealed that the main obstacle lies in Singapore’s laws and regulations, which have complicated the extradition process and prevented Sri Lankan authorities from securing his immediate arrest. Despite these challenges, he assured that strategies are being pursued to ensure Mahendran is eventually brought back to face justice.
The Sri Lankan government has already informed Singaporean authorities that Mahendran remains a wanted person in Sri Lanka. Efforts are continuing at the diplomatic and legal levels to overcome international legal hurdles that currently shield him.
Mahendran, who was appointed Central Bank Governor in 2015, has long been accused of playing a central role in the multi-billion-rupee bond scam that shook Sri Lanka’s financial sector. His absence from the country has fueled public anger and renewed calls for accountability.
