CB Chief takes swipe at politicos, urges public to be mindful of whom they elect

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday (25) questioned the conduct of some MPs who sought to direct public anger at officials over the economic crisis. Alleging that such an attempt had been made last year in the wake of attacks on politicians’ properties, Dr. Weerasinghe said that problems couldn’t be resolved through violence.

Dr. Weerasinghe pointed out that recently some people’s representatives had urged the public to target his and the Treasury Secretary’s residences in case of a fresh crisis.

Dr. Weerasinghe urged the electorate to be cautious in electing their representatives.

Dr. Weerasinghe said so at the launch of Divaina Financial Editor Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte’s ‘Arthika Ghathanaya’ , which deals with the collapse of the national economy, leading to the declaration of the country’s bankruptcy in April last year.

State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. W. A. Wijewardena were among the invitees at the launch held at the Colombo International book fair.

The CB Governor said that he appreciated Ganewatte’s effort against the backdrop of diverse views pertaining to the role of the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry at the time of the developing crisis. Referring to the declaration of bankruptcy on 12 April last year, Dr. Weerasinghe said that the Finance Ministry and Central Bank were being accused of violating the Constitution. If that was the case, action could be initiated against those who violated the supreme law of the land, Dr. Weerasinghe said, offering his support for such an initiative.

Dr. Weerasinghe said that whatever the issues, they should be settled in court. He said the dismissal of an FR application filed by Ven. Matara Ananda Sagara Thera and health sector trade union activist Ravi Kumudesh in December last year was a positive development. They moved SC against the suspension of the payment of the country’s external debt. The petition was filed against the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Treasury, the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka, and former Finance Minister Ali Sabry.

Dr. Weerasinghe explained how contentious issues at hand including the new Central Bank law and domestic debt restructuring, were dealt with in terms of the law. Under any circumstances, no one should resort to violence to achieve their objectives, Dr. Weerasinghe said, referring to a spate of incidents during a public protest campaign last year.

The CB Chief said that he was prepared to listen to the views of all.