Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others were further remanded until May 7 by the Kaduwela Magistrate a short while ago.

Rajapaksa was arrested on April 22 by police Financial Crimes Investigations Division in connection with financial fraud in the Divi Naguma Department. Former Secretary to the Economic Development Ministry Dr. Nihal Jayathilake and former Director General of Divi Naguma Project R.A.A.K. Ranawaka were also arrested on the same day. They were remanded until May 5. Meanwhile another official of the Divi Naguma Department was also arrested on April 23.

Rajapaksa and the others were brought to the Magistrate Courts this morning for further hearing of the case.

Lawyers requested that Rajapaksa given permission to remain in Colombo National Hospital. However, the Magistrate denied this request and ordered Rajapaksa to be sent to Welikada Prison Hospital.