Cabraal to assume duties as CB Governor on Thursday

Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who resigned from Parliament yesterday as a National List MP, is expected to assume duties as Governor of the Central Bank, on Thursday (16th).

Cabraal, who was Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister, will replace Prof. W.D. Lakshman, who will step down from the top post today, prematurely.

It was widely reported last week that Cabraal, who had functioned as the Central Bank Governor for eight years previously, had asked for more powers on par with a Cabinet Minister to accept the Governor position this time. 

He acknowledged this in an interview with a media organisation last week and said he was confident that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would consider his request favourably.

“To overcome the economic challenges before the country, I believe such powers are necessary,” he said.