Former Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa defends son over murder charges

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday denied his son was involved in the controversial death of a national rugby player as a magistrate ordered a fresh investigation.

Police said the body of rugby star Wasim Thajudeen will be exhumed on Monday for forensic tests after allegations that authorities covered up the investigation during Rajapaksa’s regime.

Local media have reported that Thajudeen was killed over a love triangle that involved Rajapaksa's second son Yoshitha, although police recorded the death as a road accident. “I welcome the investigation because that will help us to clear our name,” said former president Rajapaksa, accused of helping to cover up the murder.