Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M Marikkar claims the Ranil faction in the Government together with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are carrying out a mudslinging campaign against Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe the current Governor of the Central Bank.

“Is this an attempt to appoint a person involved in the bond scam as the new governor? Who are they trying to bring in?” he asked.

Marikkar said if there are any concerns about Weerasinghe’s decisions relating to interest rates or other policies he can be called to either the Presidential secretariat or the Finance Ministry for a discussion. “Policy decisions can be taken there instead of criticising him publicly,” Marikkar said.

According to Marikkar, claiming the governor is attempting to become the common candidate at the next presidential election and carrying out a verbal onslaught against him will only result in him being replaced.

“We would like to ask who will be brought in after his removal from the post. Will it be Ravi Karunanayake? Or will it be Dinesh Weerakkody? If so, for what purpose are they being brought?” he asked in parliament.

“We know what happened when the last Government came into power,” he said.

Marikkar said he has grave concerns about the criticisms being levelled against the Central Bank governor. “I am worried this is an attempt to chase him away by drumming up public displeasure against him,” he added.