The passport of the former Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigama had been released by the Baddegama Magistrate Chandima Edirimanna for a period of one month allowing him to go out of the country for medical treatment, the Baddegama Police said.


However, the Baddegama Police had recorded a statement from him at the court premises.


The former Deputy Minister, who left for Singapore after having a warrant issued for arrest was arrested by a special CID team upon his return to the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake on December 28, 2014.


The warrant has been issued to arrest Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigama and his driver for allegedly setting fire to a stage in Wanduramba, Galle, where presidential candidate Maithripala Sirsena’s rally was to be held.  (D.G. Sugathapala)