Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the former first lady of Sri Lanka, has been taken into custody amid allegations that funds raised for a children’s hospital were misappropriated. The arrest took place at her residence in Colombo on a Wednesday, conducted by anti-corruption officials.
The investigation centers around 10 million rupees (approximately $30,300 or £22,800) donated to the Siriliya Saviya charity, which was intended to fund a specialized scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo. However, authorities have indicated that a similar scanner was already provided to the hospital as a gift from the Chinese government.
In response to the allegations, Shiranthi Rajapaksa has firmly rejected any claims of wrongdoing, asserting that the donations have not been misused. She recently returned to Sri Lanka from Singapore, where she was undergoing medical treatment. Prior to her arrest, she had attempted to file a legal petition to block her detention, but the court hearing is scheduled for October 12.
Political Context and Ramifications
The spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Manoj Gamage, has stated that the funds remain secure in the charity’s accounts and that no fraudulent activities have taken place. Mahinda Rajapaksa held the presidency from 2005 until 2015, during which time his family exerted considerable influence over the nation’s politics.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is often credited with ending nearly thirty years of civil conflict in Sri Lanka, which culminated in the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. However, in 2022, the country faced widespread protests resulting from rampant inflation and shortages of essential goods such as fuel, food, and medicine. This turmoil led to the resignation of Mahinda’s brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was president at the time.
Ongoing Investigations into the Rajapaksa Family
The current administration, under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has reignited investigations into corruption involving various members of the Rajapaksa family. Earlier this year, Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested in connection with allegations related to an aircraft procurement deal during his father’s presidency and is currently in remand.
Additionally, another son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was also detained earlier this year on similar corruption charges. The unfolding events suggest a renewed focus on accountability for past actions during the Rajapaksa family’s long-standing hold on power in Sri Lanka.
