COLOMBO (News 1st) - Authorities have taken steps to suspend the use of the Browns Hill property in Matara, which is alleged to belong to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, under the provisions of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Money Laundering laws.The development was revealed after the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department informed the Matara Magistrate's Court through a motion filed before Magistrate Chathura Dissanayake.The case relates to claims that an approximately one-and-a-half-acre plot of land at Browns Hill in Matara was purchased using money allegedly earned through illicit means.Meanwhile, authorities are also taking steps to obtain an Interpol Blue Notice against Basil Rajapaksa after he allegedly failed to appear before court in connection with the case.A Blue Notice is typically sought through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to obtain information regarding the location, identity, or activities of a person linked to an ongoing investigation.The court had previously ordered the confiscation of Basil Rajapaksa's bail money on August 18 after he failed to appear before court in relation to the case.
