The Matara Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (18) ordered the forfeiture of bail money deposited by former minister Basil Rajapaksa after he repeatedly failed to appear in court in a case over the alleged purchase of a 1.5-acre property in Matara using illicitly obtained funds.
The case, filed by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), concerns a property located on Brownhill, Eliyakanda Road, Matara. The case was taken up before Matara Chief Magistrate Chathura Dissanayake.
The court was told that Rajapaksa, the third accused in the case, had continued to be absent without submitting a medical report acceptable to the court.
The magistrate also imposed fines on the three individuals who had signed as sureties for Rajapaksa’s bail, ordering that they be imprisoned if the fines are not paid.
The arrest warrant issued against Rajapaksa was extended until Oct. 27, 2026.
The first and second accused appeared before court on Tuesday. FCID officers appeared for the prosecution, while a team of lawyers including President’s Counsel Anil de Silva represented the defence. (Newswire)