Court denies permission for Yoshitha Rajapaksa to travel to Uganda

Kaduwala Magistrate’s Court yesterday denied permission to the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son, who is out on bail and barred from overseas travel, to travel abroad.

The Magistrate’s rejected the application of Yoshitha Rajapaksa filed through his attorneys requesting permission to accompany his father on a visit to Uganda. The lower court directed the petitioning party to direct the application to the High Court.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is planning a visit to Uganda to attend the fifth term swearing-in of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni scheduled for 12 May.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division of Police in January arrested Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and four others and charged under the Money Laundering Act over the financial discrepancies reported at the Carlton Sports Network (CSN). Yoshitha Rajapaksa was in remand custody until the court granted bail and imposed travel restrictions on 14 March.