21 Aswin, Colombo (Reuters/AFP) – Shiranti Rajapaksa, wife of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former First Lady, was arrested on Wednesday over allegations of misappropriating funds collected by a charity for a children’s hospital. This arrest comes as the government led by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake revives long-dormant investigations into corruption. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) confirmed that the 73-year-old Shiranti was taken into custody in Colombo and is being prepared for presentation before a magistrate.
According to the police, an investigation is underway regarding nearly 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (equivalent to approximately 30,300 US dollars) raised by Shiranti’s charity, Cyrilia Savia, for the purchase of a PET scanner for a local cancer hospital. Investigators allege that despite the PET scanner having already been donated by the Chinese government, the charity continued to collect funds and misused the money. Shiranti has denied the charges, stating she has committed no wrongdoing.
She had traveled to Singapore on September 16 for medical treatment but returned to Sri Lanka on Monday after filing a petition at court seeking to prevent her arrest. Her bail hearing is scheduled for October 12. Other members of the Rajapaksa family are also facing legal challenges. Namal Rajapaksa, eldest son of the former First Lady and opposition member of parliament, is in custody over allegations concerning a 2013 Airbus purchase deal. The Rajapaksa family denies all corruption allegations, asserting that actions against them are politically motivated. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as Sri Lankan president from 2005 to 2015. Although political influence of the family has waned following widespread protests in 2022 which led to the resignation of his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the presidency, Mahinda remains one of the country’s most influential political figures.
