Court hearing on former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and two others began at the Kaduwela Magistrate courts.

They were produced before the Magistrate after their arrest this evening and were charged under the Offenses Against Public Property Act. The main charge against them is the misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs 70 million in the Divi Naguma Fund.

Lawyers of Rajapaksa and the former secretary to Economic Development Ministry Nihal Jayathilaka said that their clients were undergoing medical treatment. They requested bail under exceptional grounds.

Meanwhile, about 1000 supporters of Rajapaksa are protesting outside the Courts.