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Basil Rajapaksa leaves for US

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa left for the United States on Saturday for medical treatment, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Podujana Party said.

Rajapaksa whose passport was impounded was recently allowed to go abroad by Court. Rajapaksa, a member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), whose passport was impounded by Court in connection with the alleged fraud at the Divineguma Department, sought the Colombo High Court’s permission to temporary lift his travel ban.

High Court Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena on December 7 ordered to release the former minister’s passport on a surety bond of Rs. 2.5 million with three other sureties. The former minister was further ordered to provide flight travel information including departure and arrival times.

Counsels appearing for the former minister moved Court that their client be allowed to travel to USA for medical treatment since he is suffering from diabetes and hypertension and has to consult his physician in USA.

Rajapaksa was arrested by the FCID on July 18 over an allegation of misappropriating Rs. 36.5 million funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Development Department to purchase and distribute GI pipes during the last presidential election. He was later released on bail.