With uncertainty swirling over the return of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (18) asked the former Finance Minister to “come and face the law.”
Speaking in Parliament, the President said there was no reason to fear the legal process if one is innocent.
“Don’t be afraid to face the law. If you are clean, come and prove your innocence,” he said.
Rajapaksa who is currently settled in the US is supposed to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 21, over allegations that he illegally acquired land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds.
Coincidentally, the case is scheduled to be taken up on a day when opposition parties led by the SLPP, which Basil founded are bringing crowds to Nugegoda for an anti-government rally. Basil Rajapaksa has been an instrumental and influential individual in the party in taking initiatives of this nature.
However, there is still no clarity on whether he will return to Sri Lanka in time for the hearing or the rally.
According to SLPP sources, Rajapaksa is yet to communicate his ability to return to the Sri Lanka.
Moreover, his legal team informed the court in May that Rajapaksa was receiving treatment in the United States for spinal and nerve complications following a fall from a chair.
They said his American doctor had advised against air travel for six months casting further doubt on his appearance for Friday’s proceedings.
Basil Rajapaksa has faced similar accusations of dodging court by travelling to the US in the past when he was wanted by the court.
However, police sources confirmed that if Rajapaksa fails to turn up this time, they will proceed with issuing an arrest warrant on the advice of the court.
Sources further said such action would be unavoidable if he continues to evade court.