Court Orders Arrest of Basil in Rs. 7.8 Mn Case
The Fort Magistrate has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and produce him before court in connection with an alleged misuse of funds belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.The order was issued today by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena when the magisterial inquiry into the incident was taken up again before court.During the proceedings, President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing on behalf of the third suspect, informed court that the accused was willing to provide a confidential statement under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.The case relates to an allegation that a sum of Rs. 7.8 million allocated to the Tourism Promotion Bureau in 2014 was misused by diverting it from promotional activities to procure 12,000 T-shirts for the Uva Provincial Council election, thereby causing a loss to the State.The CID's Illegal Assets Investigation Unit had previously reported the matter to court as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation.In connection with the same case, the former Managing Director of the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Rumy Jauffer, who had been remanded, was ordered to be released on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 10 million each. The Magistrate also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspect.Investigating officers further informed court that charges against the suspects have been filed under the Public Property Act.The Magistrate also sought clarification from the CID on whether the Finance Director named in the 'B' report would be listed as a suspect in the case.In response, the CID stated that it has not yet received instructions from the Attorney General regarding that matter.The case is scheduled to be taken up again on October 14.Meanwhile, the second suspect in the case, former Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Bureau Bhashwara Gunarathna, had earlier been granted bail on June 10 under two personal bonds of Rs. 10 million each.
