Supreme Court allows Basil to travel USA for four months

The Supreme Court today permitted former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel to USA for a four month period.

President's Counsel Gamini Marapana with Navin Marapana appearing for former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa moved Court that their client be allowed to travel to USA for medical treatment. 

Supreme Court five-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya permitted former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel overseas, until January 15 next year.

The Supreme Court had earlier issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country until September 5.

The Supreme Court made this order in connection with a Fundamental Rights petitions filed by Sri Lankan swimmer and coach Julian Bolling, former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, Transparency International and  Jehan Canaga Retna. 

In this petition, the petitioners are seeking an order to take legal action against those responsible for financial irregularities and mismanagement of the Sri Lanka economy. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)