Police seek court order to extradite Basil Rajapaksa

Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:25 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera yesterday announced that the Police department was seeking a court order to extradite former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in connection with charges of alleged financial fraud said to have taken place within the Divi Neguma Department. Soon after the conclusion of the 2015 presidential election, Rajapaksa and his wife Pushpa Rajapaksa left for the United States. However, reliable sources revealed that Rajapaksa was rumoured to be in Vietnam. Former Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development, Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka and former Director of the Divi Neguma Project, R.K. Ranawaka, were also questioned by the Police Financial Fraud Investigation Unit recently over alleged financial irregularities at the Divi Neguma Department while a foundation run by Rajapaksa’s wife is also under investigation. Rajapaksa, who was the former Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Organiser, resigned from his position on 15 January after accepting full responsibility for the defeat of his brother former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Basil Rajapaksa also led the UPFA presidential election campaign.  

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