One of the main promises made to the country when the Malima government came to power was that former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran—considered the key figure behind the Central Bank bond scam—would be brought back to Sri Lanka by force. However, although more than a year has passed since the government assumed office, and nearly 10 years have passed since the bond scam occurred, there has been neither such an action nor even any sign that it will happen. As a result, it appears that the people of this country are gradually forgetting both Arjun Mahendran and the Central Bank bond scam.
However, Arjun Mahendran suddenly reappeared in the public spotlight through the Facebook page of Uvindu Kurukulasuriya, a journalist currently residing in London. Due to their friendship, Arjun Mahendran had engaged in a video call conversation with Uvindu, which was later shared on Uvindu’s Facebook page with Arjun’s permission. Uvindu stated that he posted the video as Arjun had conveyed a message through him to be delivered to the President. Accordingly, Arjun Mahendran—who had been afraid to appear publicly even during Ranil’s presidency—was seen coming forward without fear for the first time during Anura’s administration. This was viewed as the first signal to the country that Arjun Mahendran no longer intends to remain in hiding.
Following this, Arjun Mahendran once again came into the spotlight last week by publicly sharing, for the first time, a photograph of himself with his wife while extending New Year greetings. This image also appeared via Uvindu’s Facebook page. Accordingly, it can now be observed that Arjun Mahendran has come forward to such an extent that he is even publishing photographs with his wife while a government— which once claimed it would forcibly bring him back—remains in power, seemingly without any fear or hesitation.
This has led many to question whether Arjun Mahendran is appearing publicly because he no longer fears being arrested, or whether this is the result of some questionable arrangement. Depending on how events unfold in the future, the full story behind this photograph may eventually become clear to everyone.
