Basil Rajapaksa, the former Minister of Economic Development and powerful brother of ex President Mahinda Rajapaksa was indicted today on multiple criminal charges ranging from bribery and corruption to misappropriation of public funds.
Mr Rajapaksa who left the country immediately after the defeat of his brother at the January 8 Presidential election was arrested on his return several months later but was released on bail after spending time in remand prison.
He has now been formally indicted by the Attorney General in the Colombo High Court for publishing thousands of almanacs on the eve of the presidential election under the 'Divi Naguma' village upliftment programme that came under his ministry.
While Mr Rajapaksa is the first accused the ex Director General of the programme is the second accused.
They are charged under the Penal Code, the country's criminal law and the Public Property Act as well as under the Presidential Elections Act for inducing the voter through bribery and corruption. If found guilty, the charges carry jail sentences.
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A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
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