Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa Arrested Over Alleged Misuse of Charity Donations

Sri Lanka's anti-corruption authority arrested Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Wednesday regarding allegations that her charity misappropriated US$30,000 intended for a children's hospital. This action is part of a revival of corruption probes targeting the Rajapaksa family by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's administration.

Assembled News DeskOctober 7, 20261 min read

An illustration of a single, aged document under a focused beam of light on a dark wooden surface, symbolizing an investigation into allegations. — AI-generated illustration

According to the South China Morning Post, Sri Lanka's anti-corruption authority apprehended former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa on Wednesday. The arrest stems from allegations that her charitable organization improperly used US$30,000 in donations that were gathered for a children’s hospital.

The 73-year-old wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was taken into custody in Colombo and transported to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for further questioning.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's administration has reportedly reactivated corruption investigations that had been inactive for a long time, specifically involving members of the Rajapaksa family, who held significant influence in Sri Lankan politics for almost two decades.

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