Sri Lanka has formally asked Interpol to issue a Blue Notice concerning former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who is currently not in the country, it was reported. 

According to Newsfirst, a senior police officer said Interpol has responded to the request by asking for additional information, and Sri Lankan authorities are preparing the necessary documentation.

Rajapaksa is currently the subject of two arrest warrants. One relates to the purchase of a 1.5‑acre plot of land in Brown’s Hill, Matara, allegedly using illicitly acquired funds. 

The other concerns the distribution of 12,000 T‑shirts during the Uva Provincial Council election campaign, financed with Rs. 7.8 million from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. (Newswire)

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Matara Chief Magistrate Chathura Disanayake today (21) extended the arrest warrant against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, after he failed to appear in court for the second time in connection with a land purchase case.

The case concerns the acquisition of a one‑and‑a‑half acre coconut property in the Browns Hill area, Eliyakanda Road, Matara, valued at Rs. 60 million. 

Rajapaksa’s repeated absence prompted the magistrate to prolong the warrant for his arrest.

In addition, the Chief Magistrate issued a stern warning to the four guarantors of the former minister, directing them to ensure his production before court. 

Should they fail to do so, they were ordered to show cause why the bail money should not be confiscated. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer, and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million from the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects in court, following submissions that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.

The CID informed the court that attempts to arrest the suspects at their residences had failed as they were not present. 

The Magistrate also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspects and ordered the Immigration Controller to be notified.

Investigations have revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T‑shirts, featuring a portrait of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other. 

The CID told the court the T‑shirts were distributed at a political program in the Monaragala District. (Newswire)

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The Matara Magistrate’s Court today (22) issued a warrant for the arrest of former minister Basil Rajapaksa after he failed to appear in court over a case involving allegedly illegally acquired funds.

The case centres on claims that Rajapaksa used unlawfully obtained money to purchase land at Brown’s Hill in Matara. 

His absence in court prompted the magistrate to issue the arrest warrant. (Newswire)

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The Inter‑University Students’ Federation (IUSF) announced that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has agreed to hand over the disputed land and house in Malwana, currently under the Dompe Divisional Secretariat, to the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The decision was conveyed following a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office today (18). 

Convenor Sasindu Perera told the media that the Prime Minister had promised to expedite the transfer of the property to the UGC.

Following successful discussions with Prime Minister Amarasuriya today, a group of university students agreed to vacate the disputed Malwana residence they had occupied since May 14. 

Perera said the students were now making arrangements to leave the premises in response to the government’s commitment.

The IUSF had earlier demanded that the property, once linked to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and later without an owner, be allocated for university use. 

Students argued that such assets should be used to establish faculty complexes and hostels to address space shortages in higher education institutions. (Newswire)

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A special discussion on the request made by university students regarding the Malwana property linked to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa is scheduled to take place today (18) under the leadership of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, it was reported.

According to NewsFirst, the meeting, to be held at the Prime Minister’s Office, will bring together relevant stakeholders. 

It is reported that decisions on future steps are expected following the discussion.

On May 14, students of the Inter‑University Students’ Federation (IUSF) entered the Malwana mansion, said to have once belonged to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and later left without an owner. 

They demanded that properties allegedly acquired through public tax money be handed back to the people.

The students have urged that such assets be allocated for the establishment of faculty complexes and hostels, citing space shortages within universities. (Newswire)

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Members of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) have occupied the controversial Malwana property allegedly linked to former minister Basil Rajapaksa, claiming the land should be handed over for public use.

Student activists claimed the property had previously been described as having “no owner”, before later being taken over by the State.

Speaking at the site, IUSF representatives alleged that successive governments had failed to properly utilise properties allegedly acquired using public funds and called on authorities to allocate the land to universities facing severe space shortages.

They argued that universities continue to face infrastructure and land constraints while valuable State-controlled land remains unused.

The students further claimed the Government had come to power promising to recover assets allegedly obtained through corruption and return them to the public, alleging that meaningful action had not yet been taken.

The IUSF said it had launched a “direct struggle” over the issue and had begun occupying the property until authorities respond to their demands.

Police officers were also seen at the location during the protest. (Newswire)

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National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa has recorded a statement with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over statements made regarding the wealth of former MP Basil Rajapaksa in the USA.

Speaking to the media, former MP Weerawansa said he had recorded a statement over comments made many years ago regarding the wealth of Basil Rajapaksa and his family members.

Wimal Weerawansa said that written information regarding his comments had been handed over to the Police. 

“Basil Rajapaksa was not employed in the US. Whatever assets he owns in the US, are from the wealth acquired through his job in Sri Lana. The assets are under his and his family members’ names,” Weerawansa said, adding that information in his possession was handed over to the authorities. 

He further stated that authorities should investigate the assets held by other relatives of Rajapaksa, as he does not have information about them.

Claiming that he also has information on other corrupt politicians, Weerawansa said everything cannot be revealed at once, and for now, he has only revealed about Basil Rajapaksa. 

Wimal Weerawansa said the government should probe Basil Rajapaksa’s assets in the USA if they want to find corrupt politicians and if a systematic fair probe is conducted, then he would reveal details of other corrupt individuals as well. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has confirmed party founder Basil Rajapaksa’s departure from the country prior to the 2024 Presidential Election.

Confirming that Rajapaksa had left the island early this morning, the SLPP said he would return soon to lead the party’s general election activities.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that the former minister was scheduled for a medical checkup a few weeks ago, but had delayed it due to the election campaign activities of SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa. 

“Basil Rajapaksa had already informed the party that he would be leaving the country. Following his medical checkup, he will return soon to lead the party’s general election activities,” MP Kariyawasam said. 

The SLPP General Secretary also refuted social media reports that SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa’s two kids left Sri Lanka today with his wife’s family, stating the claims were untrue.

MP Kariyawasam revealed that Namal Rajapaksa and his family have visited the Kataragama Temple for religious observances. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa says he has not read the recently launched book by his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, which outlines the reasons for his ousting from Sri Lanka’s Presidency.

Speaking during a television talk show, Basil Rajapaksa said he had not received a copy of the book from his brother nor a digital copy and was not interested in purchasing a copy or reading the book as well.

Responding to queries on the book, Rajapaksa revealed he was aware of his brother collecting details for the book, adding that he had also heard from others certain details in the book, but had not read it yet. 

However, Basil Rajapaksa refused claims that he was furious over the content of the book, stating that they were merely rumours.

Questioned about his relationship with Gotabaya Rajapaksa and if there was any animosity between the two, Basil Rajapaksa said they were on talking terms for necessary matters. (NewsWire)

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Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha has met with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the meeting took place on Wednesday (Mar 13).

The Indian High Commission said the meeting saw the exchange of views on bilateral relations, political developments and other subjects of mutual interest. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa arrived in Sri Lanka from the US today. 

The former finance minister received a grand welcome at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

Several SLPP members, including party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MP Sarath Weerasekera, and Minister Prasanna Ranatunga were among the group of persons who had arrived to welcome Basil Rajapaksa. 

Speaking to the media upon his arrival, Basil Rajapaksa said that he will spearhead the SLPP’s preparations for the upcoming elections. (NewsWire)

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A decision has been taken to use the controversial Malwana property and its surrounding 15-acre land, which reportedly has no ownership, as a development project, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. 

The Justice Minister yesterday engaged in an inspection tour of the land and luxury house, which had been burnt during the ‘Aragalaya’ peoples’ movement in 2022.

Following the inspection tour, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that a discussion will be held with the Cabinet of Ministers on the next steps related to the property, which has been declared a government asset due to a lack of ownership. 

Initially, MP Basil Rajapaksa was deemed the owner of the controversial Malwana Property.

A case was also filed against the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member over the alleged misappropriation of state funds to purchase a plot of land and build a luxurious home in Malwana, Dompe.

After denying any links to the property, the Gampaha High Court which was handling the case, declared that as the property was without an owner it would be declared a government asset. 

In June 2022, Basil Rajapaksa was acquitted of the case related to the Malwana land and luxury house. (NewsWire)

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Ranil Wickremesinghe has achieved the two key requirements for which he was appointed as the President of Sri Lanka by the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, former MP and national organizer of the SLPP Basil Rajapaksa claimed. 

Speaking during a television talk show held yesterday, Basil Rajapaksa stated Ranil Wickremesinghe first created a peaceful atmosphere for all political parties to engage in politics with freedom in the country.

“Due to the ‘Aragalaya,’ we were unable to step outside of our house and several properties of politicians were attacked and burned down by the public. But Ranil Wickremesinghe changed that situation,” he claimed.

Basil Rajapaksa further said, secondly, Ranil Wickremesinghe was able to resolve the key issues of gas explosions, fuel queues, and over 10 hours of power cuts.

“At present, we are not facing any of those social issues. We believed he is an individual who has the capacity to resolve such issues and he has proven so,” he said.

The former Finance Minister added that this shows that the SLPP’s selection for President is correct. (NewsWire)

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