SL currency notes signed by Mahendran - Opposition to seek SC interpretation

In the wake of a court case filed challenging Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship, the Opposition said today, it would seek a Supreme Court interpretation on the validity of currency notes signed by the Central Bank's former governor Arjuna Mahendran, who is a Singaporean national.

MP Dr. Bandula Gunawardana told a news conference Mr. Mahendran was never a Sri Lankan although he signed Sri Lanka's currency notes as the then CB governor.

“According to Singaporean laws, no Singaporean can hold dual citizenship. Therefore, Mr. Mahendran always was and is a Singaporean national. No foreign national is allowed to hold office in Sri Lanka let alone sign currency notes. This was an issue we raised previously as well but gave in after the bond commission was appointed because we thought proper legal action will be taken following the commission’s recommendations. It didn’t happen and today, the government is targeting Gotabaya Rajapaksa over his citizenship when he has evidently abandoned his US citizenship and is a Sri Lankan citizen now,” he said.

Dr. Gunawardena said the Opposition's legal team was studying the legal aspect of Mr. Mahendran signing Sri Lankan currency notes while remaining as a Singaporean national.

“This raises the question whether the notes signed by Mr. Mahendran are valid since he is not a Sri Lankan,” he said.

Commenting on the court case filed against SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Dr. Gunawardena said they had their faith and confidence in the judiciary to deliver a correct judgement.

“Gotabaya renounced his US citizenship. All these allegations and court cases are being made against him since he is contesting the presidential election and is a strong candidate,” he said.