The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer, and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million from the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects in court, following submissions that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.

The CID informed the court that attempts to arrest the suspects at their residences had failed as they were not present. 

The Magistrate also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspects and ordered the Immigration Controller to be notified.

Investigations have revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T‑shirts, featuring a portrait of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other. 

The CID told the court the T‑shirts were distributed at a political program in the Monaragala District. (Newswire)

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