The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and produce him before court over an alleged misuse of funds belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

The order was issued by Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena when the magisterial inquiry into the case was taken up today.

The case relates to allegations that Rs. 7.8 million allocated to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in 2014 was diverted from tourism promotion activities to purchase 12,000 T-shirts for the Uva Provincial Council election campaign, resulting in a financial loss to the State.

During the hearing, President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the third suspect, informed the court that his client was prepared to provide a confidential statement under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The CID’s Illegal Assets Investigation Unit had previously submitted facts to court as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation.

Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Managing Director Rumy Jauffer, who had been remanded in connection with the case, was released on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 10 million each. The court also imposed a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country.

Investigators informed the court that charges against the suspects have been filed under the Public Property Act.

The Magistrate further sought clarification from the CID regarding whether the Finance Director named in the investigation report would also be listed as a suspect. In response, investigators stated that they are still awaiting instructions from the Attorney General.

The case has been fixed for further hearing on October 14.

The second suspect in the case, former Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunarathna, was previously granted bail on June 10 under two personal bonds of Rs. 10 million each.