Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa filed a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court, seeking an interim order directing the Kaduwela Magistrate to release him from remand custody.

In this FR petition, Rajapaksa cited 45 persons including the ministers of cabinet, police chief N.K. Ilangakoon and the Attorney General as respondents.

He further sought a declaration that all steps taken in consequence of gazette No.1901/20 dated 13.2.2015 on the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) were null and void and had no force or effect in law.

This FR petition was filed days after his brother, former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, filed a FR petition with the Supreme Court. He also sought an interim order preventing his arrest and questioned the establishment of the FCID. Supreme Court recently issued an interim order against the arrest of Gotabaya Rajapaksa until his petition is heard.