Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been transferred to the Merchants ward of the Colombo National Hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson.

MP Rajapaksa was arrested on Wednesday (April 22^nd) by the Police Financial Crimes Division (FCID) and was later remanded till the 5^th of May after being produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate. The parliamentarian was later moved to the prison hospital before being transferred to the National Hospital.

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was arrested along with Former Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke and Former Director General of the Divi Neguma Department R.A.A.K. Ranawaka.

Earlier on Thursday (April 23^rd) all three suspects were produced before the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo based on an order issued by the Kaduwela Magistrate. Attorney-at-Law Kamal Wiyasasiri who appeared on behalf of one of the suspects stated that the Kaduwela Magistrate ordered the prisons department to ensure that MP Rajapaksa be provided the required facilities to attend Parliamentary proceedings.

According to the Attorney-at-Law, three charges had been filed against MP Rajapaksa and the two suspects who were arrested with him. The charges include misappropriating funds of the Divi Neguma department. The attorney went onto note that two of the charges fall under the “Public property act.”

The three suspects including Basil Rajapaksa were taken to the Prisons Hospital from the Magistrate Premises close to mid-night yesterday. Meanwhile, a group who had gathered opposite the court premises behaved in an unruly manner.

A group including Former Minister Susil Premajayantha visited Basil Rajapaksa at the Prisons Hospital on Wednesday night. Meanwhile Former Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Prison Hospital this morning to visit Basil Rajapaksa.

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