Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Court orders INTERPOL Red Notice action against former minister Rajapaksa
The Fort Magistrate's Court has issued an arrest warrant for ex-Minister Basil Rajapaksa in connection with alleged misappropriation of tourism bureau funds. The court has directed authorities to pursue an international arrest notice through INTERPOL.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Fort Magistrate's Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa over allegations of misusing funds belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.
The magistrate directed the Criminal Investigation Department's Illegal Assets Investigation Division to initiate proceedings to obtain a Red Notice through INTERPOL, the international law enforcement coordination body. The measure appears designed to facilitate the apprehension of the former politician should he leave Sri Lankan jurisdiction.
The charges relate to the alleged diversion of public funds for electoral purposes during the provincial poll held in 2014. The Tourism Promotion Bureau serves as a state agency responsible for promoting Sri Lanka's tourism industry both domestically and internationally.
Rajapaksa, a member of the politically prominent Rajapaksa family, has faced multiple investigations and legal challenges in recent years. The INTERPOL Red Notice, if granted, would alert law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist in locating and apprehending individuals wanted by national authorities.