Shinawatra’s alleged appointment:

Central Bank denies reports

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The Central Bank denied media speculation about the appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as advisor on economic affairs to Sri Lanka.

Governor Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said Shinawatra was not appointed in any capacity to Sri Lanka and added that both countries had refuted the media reports.

Earlier, Foreign Ministry sources said there is no truth in these reports and that they were baseless. Sources said the Government of Thailand denied the appointment of the former premier and added that it was a move to jeopardise relations between the two countries.

There had been wide speculation of the plan to appoint the deposed ex-Thai Prime Minister as advisor to Sri Lanka on economic matters.

Professor of Business Economics of the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, H.D. Karunaratne said there was no need for external advisors as there are eminent economists in the country who could contribute to policy formulation.

“Economic research and analysis are what is required to spearhead growth and not mere advice”, he said.

Shinawatra was ousted in a coup and has been living in exile since. In his absence, he has been sentenced to a two-year jail term.