Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before the police Financial Crimes Investigations Division a short while ago to give a statement on the controversial MiG deal in 2006 and alleged financial irregularities at the Lanka Hospitals.

Rajapaksa was scheduled to appear at the FCID on May 12. However, he asked for a different date on the grounds of mental stress and was given today as an alternative date.

On May 13, the Supreme Court issued an interim order against the arrest of Gotabaya Rajapaksa until a Fundamental Rights petition filed by him is heard. The FR petition questions the legality of the establishment of the FCID.