Travel ban on Mahinda. Basil and others were further extended by theSupreme Court.

August 10, 2022

The Supreme Court today further extended its interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country until September 5.

Meanwhile, former Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal, W.D. Lakshman, and former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Atygalle also gave an undertaking through their lawyers that they would not leave the country without the permission of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court five-judge-bench bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Vijith Malalgoda, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya and Justice Murdu Fernando made this order in connection with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Sri Lankan swimmer and coach Julian Bolling, former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of newCommerce 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 Lankan economy.

The petitioners maintained that they have been reliably informed that some of the above respondents may leave the country and thereby avoid giving information sought by the petitioners and consequently prevent proper investigation.

The petitioners stated that irreparable loss, harm and prejudice would be caused to them and the citizens of Sri Lanka unless the court of the interim relief sought in the application is granted.