President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are to hold a crucial meeting, next week, on the re-appointment of Arjuna Mahendran as the Central Bank Governor, top government sources told Asian Mirror. 

The move comes in the wake of statements made by SLFP MPs representing the government that Mahendran should not be re-appointed to the top post at the Central Bank. Similar sentiments were expressed by the 'Joint Opposition' group supporting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

At the ruling alliance's Parliamentary meeting last week, a few SLFP MPs, namely Mahinda Amaraweera and Dilan Perera, urged the President not to re-appoint Mahendran to the Central Bank as the public had "lost faith" in him. 

However, Mahendran was backed by Minister Sarath Amunugama, another SLFP stalwart who addressed the ruling alliance's group meeting.

The UNP MPs, however, said Mahendran should be re-appointed to the position as he had strong relations with foreign investors who could help the country's ailing economy. 

Finally, the ruling alliance agreed to entrust the President and the Prime Minister with the task of making a decision on Mahendran's re-appointment. The meeting between the two leaders is likely to take place next week at the President's Office. 

In an interview with the Sunday Times today (12), President Sirisena, commenting on Mahendran's re-appointment, had said he would make a decision on the matter "in a few more days."