Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Court Orders CID to Seek Interpol Red Notice for Basil Rajapaksa
A Colombo Fort magistrate has directed investigators to secure an Interpol Red Notice for the arrest of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in connection with alleged misappropriation of Tourism Promotion Bureau funds.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe issued the directive on Monday, instructing the Criminal Investigation Department's Illegal Assets Investigation Unit to initiate proceedings for the international arrest warrant. The order relates to allegations that Rajapaksa misappropriated funds belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau during his tenure.
The magistrate has directed that Rajapaksa be produced before the court following his arrest. The case represents part of ongoing investigations into financial irregularities involving senior government officials and state institutions.
The issuance of an Interpol Red Notice would enable law enforcement agencies across Interpol member nations to locate and apprehend Rajapaksa. Such notices are typically sought when authorities require international cooperation to bring suspects into custody for prosecution.
The former minister, who served in the previous administration, faces multiple legal challenges relating to alleged financial misconduct. The Tourism Promotion Bureau case adds to several other investigations targeting members of the Rajapaksa political family.