Basil Rajapaksa Blue Notice comes into focus as Sri Lankan authorities turn to Interpol amid court proceedings over the Matara land case.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says a Basil Rajapaksa Blue Notice has been issued through Interpol as authorities pursue legal proceedings involving the former Minister. Daily Mirror reported the same statement from Wijepala on September 19.
In a statement to the Daily Mirror, Wijepala said the government was using international law enforcement mechanisms to bring before the law politicians who have gone abroad while facing legal processes in Sri Lanka, as well as others required by the courts.
Matara Land Case and Court Warrants
Rajapaksa has failed to appear before court on several occasions in a case filed by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). The case concerns the purchase of a 1.5-acre property at Browns Hill in Matara for Rs. 60 million.
His lawyers had previously informed court that he was overseas receiving medical treatment. However, following his continued absence, the Matara Chief Magistrate’s Court issued fresh warrants in July for his arrest. Contemporary court reporting confirms the July warrant and the Rs. 60 million Browns Hill property case.
Basil Rajapaksa Blue Notice and Red Notice Explained
Explaining the international process, Wijepala outlined the distinction between Interpol Blue and Red Notices.
Blue Notice: Used to obtain information about a person’s foreign address, country of residence or movements, while notifying authorities that the individual is required in connection with a legal investigation in the home country.
Red Notice: The Minister described this as a mechanism used in relation to fugitive suspects whose exact location cannot be specifically established and who are sought for arrest.
Sri Lanka’s Interpol mechanism operates through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According to the article, the Basil Rajapaksa Blue Notice was obtained following a CID request.
Commenting on the process, Minister Wijepala said:
“A blue notice has now been issued on behalf of Basil Rajapaksa. When persons are required for a certain investigation, we inform the International Police through this. If there is an address showing that he is living in a specific location, through this notice, it is officially notified that the relevant person is required by the home country,” he said.
Government Says Previous Political Status Will Not Matter
Wijepala further said the government would take the necessary diplomatic and international legal steps to return people required in connection with financial crime and bribery cases.
He emphasized that the government intended to pursue those measures irrespective of the political positions or status those individuals had previously held.
The government’s stated position therefore places the use of international law enforcement cooperation at the centre of its efforts to secure the return of individuals required in Sri Lankan legal proceedings.
