A former Sri Lankan diplomat who is wanted for questioning over financial irregularities in relation to a military aircraft deal has had an appeal rejected by a court in Colombo this week.
Lawyers for Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, called for a recall of his arrest warrant and a restoration of his diplomatic passport.
Mr Weeratunga, a relative of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, is alleged to have personally acquired almost US$ 14 million, as part of a Sri Lankan military deal for four Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft in 2005.
His appeal was rejected by the court, who issued an open Interpol warrant for his arrest.
The former diplomat is also alleged to have channelled weapons to pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, though he denies the charges against him.