Ex-Sri Lankan president's brother arrested

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother, Basil Rajapaksa was arrested on Thursday over a land deal.

The former economic affairs minister was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) after he appeared to make a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Basil Rajapaksa was arrested over the land issue in Matara town.

He is to be produced before a magistrate later on Thursday.

The former minister was arrested last year as well for his involvement in a financial fraud case but was later released on bail.

--IANS

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