Authorities are investigating alternative legal avenues to return former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka after Singapore rejected an extradition request, with the official citing legal barriers to the process.
Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has indicated that authorities are examining alternative legal strategies to bring former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran back to the country, following the failure of extradition efforts through conventional channels.
Mahendran, who headed the Central Bank from January 2015 to June 2016, is now a Singapore citizen residing in the city-state under the name Harjan Alexander, according to information held by the Criminal Investigation Department. The name change occurred after the CID initiated an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest. Singapore previously declined Sri Lanka's extradition request, determining that it did not satisfy the legal prerequisites under Singapore's Extradition Act.
The former governor faces legal proceedings related to Central Bank bond transactions and was indicted in June 2019 before the Permanent High Court at Bar. Authorities allege his actions resulted in losses exceeding US$11 million to the State. Wijepala confirmed that proceedings in the bond case continue to progress.
Beyond the Mahendran case, the Minister reported broader efforts to apprehend wanted individuals. Sri Lankan authorities have secured 236 Interpol Red Notices, with 110 obtained since the current government took office. Of these cases, 66 wanted individuals have been returned to Sri Lanka, investigations into 97 others remain ongoing, and authorities have identified the whereabouts of 39 suspects. Wijepala indicated that another wanted suspect was expected to arrive in Sri Lanka within the following week.
