‘Nothing Suspicious In Buying Rs. 5.5 Billion Worth Of Duty-Free Liquor': Mahendran On Return To SL

Part time refugee Arjuna Mahendran has said that there is nothing suspicious about the Rs 5.5 Billion worth of duty-free liquor he purchased from the airport on his return to Sri Lanka last evening.

The former Central Bank Governor said, “Some people have accused me of trying to spend ill-gotten gains so that in the event a demand for repayment is made, Perpetual Treasuries will be unable to furnish it. But that is not true. First of all, these are not ill-gotten gains as I was in good health when I oversaw the questionable bond auctions. Second of all, there were some super deals on at Duty-Free so it was hard to resist.”

“I have been asked where I got Rs 5.5 billion from, and that’s quite easy to answer. I have been with HSBC for several years and every month they call me and ask if I want more credit. They know I can’t afford it but they still continue offering it. It’s almost like they want you to spend money that you don’t have so they can profit from it. I guess we share the same ethics. Anyway, my overdraft limit is Rs 5.5 billion so I just spent that,” he added.

“There were some Absolut great deals and having been in the Black, I am now in the Red after spending all that money. Some of the offers were Sparkling and others were Regal and I managed to Reserve some before they were sold out.”