🚨 Court Orders Arrest of Basil Rajapaksa Over Misappropriation of Funds

• Legal Action: The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) Illegal Assets Investigation Unit to arrest former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. He is to be produced before court regarding the alleged misappropriation of state funds. • The Offence: According to CID investigators, Rs. 7.8 million allocated to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in 2014 for promotional activities was allegedly used to distribute 12,000 T-shirts during the Uva Provincial Council election campaign, causing a direct loss to the State. Charges have been filed under the Public Property Act. • Other Suspects: The Bureau's former Managing Director, Rumi Jaufer, was released on two personal bails of Rs. 1 million each and handed a travel ban. A decision on whether to name the former Finance Director as a suspect is pending advice from the Attorney General. • Next Steps: The case has been fixed for further hearing on 14 October.