Matara Chief Magistrate Chaturanga Eranga Dissanayake has rejected the request to recall the warrant issued against former minister Basil Rajapaksa for failing to appear before the court over an ongoing case.The warrant was issued after Rajapaksa failed to appear before the court on May 22 in relation to a case filed by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division over the purchase of a one-and-a-half-acre land at Brown’s Hill on Eliyakanda Road, Matara.Appearing on behalf of Rajapaksa, President’s Counsel, Anil de Silva, informed the court that his client was currently overseas receiving medical treatment and was therefore unable to appear before the court yesterday (June 19).

Medical reports were also submitted in support of the claim.The defense filed a motion seeking the recall of the warrant, citing the suspect’s health condition.However, the Chief Magistrate observed that Rajapaksa had repeatedly failed to appear before the court and stated that the warrant could not be recalled unless the suspect was produced before the court.After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the warrant issued against Rajapaksa remain in force.