Today (22 May), the Matara Magistrate’s Court in Sri Lanka issued an arrest warrant for former minister Basil Rajapaksa after the court concluded that he had repeatedly failed to appear for scheduled hearings in an ongoing financial investigation. The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Chathuranga Eranga Dissanayake following continued absence from court proceedings despite prior summons.
The case, filed by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), concerns allegations linked to a land transaction in the Browns Hill area along Eleyakanda Road in Matara. Authorities allege that an acre-and-a-half plot of land was purchased using funds suspected to have originated from illegal financial activities. Basil Rajapaksa, along with others, has been named in connection with the investigation.
During today’s hearing, the accused was not present in court. His legal representatives informed the magistrate that he is currently unwell and receiving medical treatment abroad. They submitted medical reports to support their claim and requested that the court take his health condition into consideration.
However, the magistrate rejected the medical documentation, stating that the explanations provided were insufficient and noting that the accused had previously failed to appear in court on multiple occasions. The court observed a pattern of non-compliance with judicial summons and determined that stronger legal action was necessary.
Following this assessment, the court ordered that Basil Rajapaksa be arrested and produced before the court without delay. The ruling is expected to trigger widespread political discussion, as it involves a prominent Sri Lankan political figure and adds further intensity to an already high-profile legal case.
