Lanka Sama Samaja Party leader Prof. Tissa Vitharana today said that there is no reason to believe the allegations Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy had any links to the LTTE, as claimed by some 'Joint Opposition' members.

Speaking at a Joint Opposition press conference today, he said that Coomaraswamy was a reputed professional in his field.

However, Vitharana pointed out that the appointment was made as a compromise between the President and the Prime Minister.

The Joint Opposition is still divided over the appointment of Coomaraswamy as the new CBSL Governor.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader and veteran politician Dinesh Gunawardene commended the government for the appointment within hours after it was announced on Saturday.

Through his Twitter handle, Gunawardene said that he welcomed the appointment of the new CB Governor, who is an experienced professional and respected in his field. Gunawardena also expressed hope that the new Governor would repair the lost credibility of the Central Bank.

However, National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa slammed the decision on Monday, pointing out that the CB Governor was once an adviser of Raj Rajaratnam, who was convicted for insider trading in the US and given a prison term of 11 years. Rajaratnam is known as a financier of the LTTE, Weerawansa pointed out. Furthermore, Dr. Coomaraswamy is also engaged in private businesses of his own, Weerawansa claimed.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila also voiced a similar opinion yesterday.