Sri Lanka: Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne arrested by CID

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In Sri Lanka, former minister and MP Rajitha Senaratne was arrested by Criminal Instigations Department (CID) in Colombo.

He has been arrested in a case of organizing a press conference on purported white van abductions during the previous government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

Mr Rajitha is the second minister to be arrested after new government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took over last month. 

Earlier, Champika Ranwaka was arrested last week in a road accident case and released on bail this week. The opposition has accused the government of political witch-hunt while the government has countered saying the law is taking its own course.

Meanwhile, the two individuals, who identified themselves as while van drivers during the press conference led by the former Minister, were produced before the court and further remanded until January six.

The MP had previously filed two anticipatory bail applications with the Colombo Chief Magistrate, seeking the prevention of his arrest. The court had rejected the initial bail application and the second one will come up for hearing on Monday.