The Matara Magistrate’s Court has issued an open warrant for the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa over an investigation into the alleged acquisition of land in Brown’s Hill, Matara.
The warrant was issued following a report submitted by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
The case involves a property of approximately one and a half acres situated along Eliyakanda Road. The land, reportedly used for coconut cultivation, previously belonged to German national Herbert Keller and was allegedly purchased by Rajapaksa for Rs. 60 million.
On October 6, the FCID informed the court that steps would be taken to suspend the use of the property pending the investigation.
Earlier, Matara Chief Magistrate Chathura Dissanayake ordered the forfeiture of Rajapaksa’s bail money and the recovery of bail payments from his sureties after he failed to appear in court on several occasions.
The latest warrant represents a further development in the ongoing investigation into the disputed property.
