Interpol red notice is not sufficient to bring Mahendran back to Sri Lanka – PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe responded to oral questions raised by Members of Parliament on Wednesday (May 6th). Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned the Prime Minister on why certain individuals are not being taken into custody despite there being international red warrants against them.

In response, Prime Minister explained the latest updates on 3 wanted persons, two former ambassadors and one former central bank governor.

• Former Ambassador Jaliya Wickremesuriya – A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Investigations have revealed that both the suspect and the surety are no longer in the country.
• Former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga – An international red warrant was issued on the 12th of February. On the 17th of May this year, the Defence Secretary through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a request to the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the United Arab Emirates to extradite Udayanga Weeratunga to Sri Lanka.
• Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran – International support has been sought to locate the whereabouts of Arjuna Mahendran. The Singapore Government has called on
  Sri Lanka to follow extradition laws as a suspect cannot be arrested in Singapore solely based on a Police red notice. The CID has requested the Defence Secretary to file the necessary requests.

Not satisfied with the explanation provided by the Prime Minister, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Prime Minister should not hide behind words such as international warrants, red notices and Extradition Laws. He should take responsibility of bringing Arjuna Mahendran back to the country because of his close personal relationship with Mahendran.

Responding to this statement the Prime Minister stated that he did not have any ties with Arjuna Mahendran when they went before commissions. The Prime Minister said he is not aware of his last whereabouts but slipped that he occasionally gets to know where he is. The Premier also noted that Mahendran changes houses frequently in Singapore.

Following the expose’ on the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defended fugitive Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran on a number of occasions in Parliament. The entire country was aware that a Singapore National was appointed to this position solely because of the friendship he had with the Prime Minister and with his blessings.

The Prime Minister now says the Interpol RED NOTICE is not sufficient to bring Mahendran back to the country.

Who and what is being protected? Who are the real thieves?