Sri Lanka escalates anti-graft drive with Shiranthi’s jailing
MONETABRIEF – More members of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family and their associates are expected to be hauled up under Sri Lanka’s renewed anti-corruption drive following the arrest of former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested over allegations that funds collected through her Siriliya Saviya charity for a scanner […]
Sri Lanka is intensifying its anti-graft efforts with the arrest of former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The 73-year-old was charged with misusing funds collected by her charity, Siriliya Saviya, for a scanner at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. A magistrate ordered her to remain in custody until October 13. The Rajapaksa family, once a dominant political force, is under scrutiny for corruption, money laundering, and misuse of public funds.
Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son, is also under investigation for alleged money laundering. Namal Rajapaksa, another family member, faces allegations related to a $2.3 billion Airbus deal from 2013. Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president, is accused of receiving kickbacks in connection with the same deal. However, his accuser, Kapila Chandrasena, former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, was found dead before his court hearing in May.
The Rajapaksa family and associates deny the allegations, claiming a political vendetta. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has prioritized the anti-corruption drive, which now extends beyond the family to include cases from 2015 to 2019. Former Board of Investment chief Thilan Wijesinghe is also at risk of arrest and prosecution.
Additionally, criminal investigations will be pursued, with former Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne potentially facing arrest for allegedly interfering with the journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge's assassination investigation. Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that authorities are reviving stalled cases from a decade ago.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
