Major Crackdown in Sri Lanka: Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa Arrested in Fund Scam

In a historic crackdown in Sri Lanka, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over an alleged public fund scam worth 10 million Sri Lankan rupees. This marks the first time in the nation's history that a former First Lady has been taken into custody in a corruption case.

Allegations Tied to Children's Hospital NGO Fund

According to investigative officials, the case is tied to Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s NGO 'Siriliya Saviya'. It is alleged that donations were collected from the public to purchase a CT scanner machine for the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital in Colombo; however, the machine was never delivered to the hospital, and the funds were allegedly misappropriated.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who returned to Sri Lanka just two days prior after medical treatment abroad, saw her legal team file anticipatory bail pleas to evade arrest. Despite this, investigators recorded her statement at her residence before arresting her and producing her before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, which subsequently remanded her in custody.

Mounting Pressure on the Rajapaksa Family

This high-profile arrest comes amid a tightening legal noose around the influential Rajapaksa family. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as president from 2005 to 2015, while his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to resign in 2022 following massive public protests and an economic crisis. Other members of the family, including eldest son Namal Rajapaksa, also face multiple corruption charges.

The Rajapaksa family has consistently denied all allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated. Meanwhile, anti-corruption authorities have also detained other figures connected to related financial improprieties, deepening the political turmoil in the island nation.