Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son was on Monday granted bail but was banned to travel abroad by a court here over allegedly accepting USD 500,000 from an Indian firm in connection with a multi-million dollar real-estate project in the heart of Colombo. Basil Rajapaksa the younger brother of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested today (18) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over allegations of wrongdoing in the Divinaguma or the livelihoods fund which he administered under his elder brother’s presidency. At almost the same time as the arrest the former presidents eldest son
Namal was granted bail but banned to travel abroad by a court here over allegedly accepting USD 500,000 from an Indian firm in connection with a multi-million dollar real-estate project in the heart of Colombo.
Namal Rajapaksa, a member of parliament, was arrested last week and kept under remand custody till Monday, becoming the second son of the former president to be remanded over financial irregularity. Among the bail conditions by the magistrate court here were a ban on his foreign travel and permission for the police’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to peruse his bank accounts. Namal, 30, has been charged with misappropriating 70 million rupees (USD 500,000) in connection with the deal with India’s Krrish Group, which had in 2013 signed an agreement to start a USD 650 million real-estate venture in Colombo’s central business district of Fort. The case will be next taken up on August 8. Namal’s younger brother Yoshitha, who was previously arrested by FCID over another business deal involving a sports television channel, is currently on bail after being in remand. The Rajapaksa family has faced many accusations of wrongdoing during the 10 years of the former strongman’s rule. The family has branded the cases against them as a ‘political witch-hunt’ by the Rajapaksa successor Maithripala Sirisena’s unity government.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)