Colombo High Court lifts overseas travel ban on Basil

The Colombo High Court today lifted the overseas travel ban imposed on former Minister Basil Rajapaksa over a misappropriation case. 

Former economic development ministry secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilaka, former Director General of the Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka and his deputy Bandula Thilakasiri are also among the accused in the case.

The accused have been charged for misappropriating Rs 29.9 billion worth funds of the Divi Neguma Department, while distributing housing appliances and roofing sheets, among beneficiaries of the Department’s welfare programme, during the 2015 presidential election campaign.

Colombo High Court judge R Gurusingha instructed that Mr Rajapaksa should inform the Court prior to his foreign travels after his lawyer Gamini Marapana who appeared on behalf of him told the Courts that his client has to travel abroad since he is the Chair of a Presidential Task Force. 

The Court also lifted the restriction imposed on Mr Rajapaksa of appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in every three months. The AF department officials did not raise any objections. The case is to be called on November 25.