Politics · India Bureau
Sri Lankan court seeks Interpol Red Notice for ex-finance minister Rajapaksa
A Sri Lankan court has ordered authorities to pursue an Interpol Red Notice against former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa over allegations of misappropriating public funds from the tourism promotion bureau.
LSN India ·
The Fort Magistrate's Court in Colombo issued the directive on Wednesday following submissions by the Criminal Investigation Department regarding an ongoing probe into alleged fund misuse dating back to 2014. The court has also ordered that arrest warrants be issued for the 71-year-old former minister in both English and Sinhala.
The case centres on allegations that Sri Lankan Rupees 7.8 million earmarked for the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau were diverted to purchase 12,000 T-shirts for Uva Provincial Council elections instead of being utilised for the bureau's intended promotional activities.
Rajapaksa, the younger brother of former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is currently embroiled in multiple legal proceedings. The court's decision to pursue international enforcement mechanisms through Interpol underscores the seriousness with which Sri Lankan authorities are treating allegations of financial impropriety against members of the influential political family.
The development marks a significant escalation in legal action against Rajapaksa, who served as finance minister during the final years of Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency. The case reflects broader investigations into financial irregularities allegedly committed during that period.