"We do not know of such things," Weerasekera told mediamen in Sinhalese.

"It is not fair to ask such questions from me."

Weerasekera was chairing the first media conference held at the central bank headquarters premises, since the new governor took office.

Sri Lanka's main opposition called for a parliamentary inquiry after media reports that Cabraal's family financial firm Capital Reach, had been funded by the GoldQuest group, and his appointment may stop the investigations.

Cabraal had denied wrongdoing.

Before Cabraal's appointment, Central Bank's investigations led to the arrest of several GoldQuest activists who were operating in remote and poorer areas of Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the month news broke that the police investigators seconded to the Unit had been recalled.

The Unit had now been disbanded and its chief transferred to the International Operations Department.

Director of Economic Research H N Thenuwara said officers had wanted transfers to better their career prospects and other departments would carry out investigations.

"The Bank Supervision Department and Non-bank Supervision Department are carrying out these investigations now," Thenuwara said.

"They [transferred officers] also have career prospects, they also have requested to be transferred to some other area, so that is why that has taken place."

The controversial firm's activities prompted Sri Lanka's to bring in a special anti-pyramiding law administered by the central bank.

Central Bank established the Special Investigation Unit to implement the law as well as provisions in other laws that come under the monetary authority.