Sri Lanka’s former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested in Colombo on Wednesday over allegations that a charity linked to her mishandled donations intended for a children’s hospital scanner, the BBC reported, citing anti-corruption authorities.
Allegation: 10m-rupee fund for a scanner already supplied
Officials allege the Siriliya Saviya charity—connected to Rajapaksa—raised 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (about $30,300; £22,800) for a specialised scanner for Colombo’s Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, even though, according to officials, such a scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government, the BBC said.
Rajapaksa denies fraud; spokesperson says funds are intact
Rajapaksa, 73, has denied any wrongdoing and says the money has not been appropriated, according to the BBC. Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s spokesperson, Manoj Gamage, said the money is safe in Siriliya’s accounts and that no fraud has occurred, the BBC reported.
Arrest followed return from Singapore and pending court petition
The BBC reported that anti-corruption authorities arrested Rajapaksa at the Colombo home she shares with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, two days after she returned from Singapore, where she had been receiving medical treatment. She had filed a court petition seeking to prevent her arrest; the hearing was set for 12 October, according to the BBC.
Broader Rajapaksa probes revived under current government
The BBC said Sri Lanka’s current government, under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has revived long-stalled corruption investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family. Earlier this year, Mahinda and Shiranthi’s eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, was arrested over allegations linked to an aircraft procurement deal made during his father’s presidency and is currently in remand, the BBC reported. His brother Yoshitha was also arrested earlier this year on corruption charges, according to the BBC.
Context
Mahinda Rajapaksa served as president from 2005 to 2015. The BBC notes that in 2022, mass protests erupted amid soaring inflation and shortages, and then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa—Mahinda’s brother—was eventually toppled.
