The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the forfeiture of bail money deposited on behalf of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa after he failed to appear in court in connection with a case involving the alleged purchase of property with illicit funds.
The order was issued yesterday (18) by Matara Chief Magistrate Chathura Dissanayake.
Rajapaksa is the third accused in the case, which was initially filed by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). The case concerns an alleged purchase of a 1.5-acre property located along Brownhill, Eliyakanda Road in Matara.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Rajapaksa had repeatedly failed to attend hearings and had not produced a medical report considered acceptable by the court to explain his absence.
The magistrate subsequently ordered fines to be imposed on the three individuals who had provided surety for Rajapaksa’s bail. The court further directed that the sureties could face imprisonment if the fines were not paid.
An arrest warrant previously issued against Rajapaksa has also been extended.
The matter is scheduled to return before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on October 27.
The first and second accused appeared before court on Tuesday, while Rajapaksa was again absent. FCID officers appeared for the prosecution, with a defence team headed by President’s Counsel Anil de Silva representing the accused.
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