Senior journalist Uvindu Kurukulasuriya has released a recent photograph of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, who remains wanted in connection with Sri Lanka’s 2015 Central Bank bond scam.
Kurukulasuriya shared the image on social media, stating that Mahendran had contacted him after nearly three years. In a post written in Sinhala, he said Mahendran spoke to him about several matters and requested that he convey advice to President Anura Dissanayake — a request Kurukulasuriya said he declined. He added that their conversation included “many stories” and noted that he has known Mahendran for nearly three decades.
Mahendran, residing in Singapore, is accused of playing a central role in the bond scam that led to massive financial losses for the state. When he left Sri Lanka amid the controversy, then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that Mahendran was travelling to Singapore for a wedding and would return shortly — a promise that was never fulfilled.
President Anura Dissanayake, during his campaign, vowed to ensure Mahendran’s return to face justice. However, Singapore has previously declined Sri Lanka’s extradition request, citing the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty.
