Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor denies resignation rumours

Sri Lanka's central bank governor Sunday denied news reports that he has been asked to make way for senior presidential advisor Nivard Cabraal. Sri Lanka's central bank governor Sunday denied news reports that he has been asked to make way for senior presidential advisor Nivard Cabraal. The report claimed that Governor Sunil Mendis, who is currently in the third of his six-year term, is said to be offered a diplomatic posting, in return.

"I have not got a letter yet," said Mendis when contacted. "As far as I know, I am still the Central Bank Governor."

Cabraal, a chartered accountant by profession, is presently the Secretary to the Planning & Implementation Ministry.

"I know nothing of my being appointed the Central Bank Governor," Cabraal told LBO.

The news report appeared Sunday, on a website that is believed to be linked to the Marxist JVP, a key ally of President Mahinda Rajapakse's government.

The report says President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga has written and asked a member of the monetary board and the Central Bank Governor to resign.

The five-member monetary board presently comprises of Treasury Secret