A Sri Lankan court has issued an arrest warrant for former Youth Minister Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, following his failure to comply with court summons related to multiple charges.
Namal arrived in Malé today on the same flight as Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is visiting the Maldives on an official State Visit at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Both travelled business class on Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL 101.
Media reports indicate Namal is in the Maldives to attend a wedding reception. The arrest warrant was issued due to his absence from court hearings regarding various allegations, including money laundering and corruption, which have also implicated other members of his politically influential family.
A lawyer by profession, Namal has served in Sri Lanka’s parliament and contested the presidential election that led to President Dissanayake’s victory.