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Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrested in Sri Lanka charity graft probe
Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been arrested by Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations that her charity, the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, misused donations. The investigation centers on 10 million rupees (approximately $30,000) allegedly collected to purchase a PET/CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. Investigators claim the scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government, yet the charity continued to solicit funds.
Following her arrest in Colombo, a magistrate ordered Rajapaksa to be remanded in custody until October 13, 2026. Her legal counsel argued for bail citing serious medical conditions, including blocked arteries and a history of fainting.
In related actions, the former chairman of the National Savings Bank, Pradeep Kariyawasam, was also arrested for allegedly bypassing financial procedures to transfer the funds to the foundation, though he was later released on bail. Additionally, former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was arrested in a separate corruption case involving the misuse of state funds from 2006. These arrests are part of a broader effort by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration to investigate graft involving the Rajapaksa family, which held significant political power for nearly two decades.
Entities
Anura Kumara Dissanayake · Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption · Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children · Mahinda Rajapaksa · Shiranthi Rajapaksa · Siriliya Saviya Foundation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The medical scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government, but the charity continued to solicit donations. myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · www.index.hr · thefrontierpost.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Former National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam was arrested for allegedly facilitating the fund transfer without proper procedures. news.az · see.mv · www.tabla.com.sg
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was arrested for corruption related to misuse of state funds in 2006. punchng.com · www.tabla.com.sg
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defense maintains that the 10 million rupees remains untouched in the foundation's account. www.lankanewspapers.com · see.mv · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · thefrontierpost.com · www.index.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Shiranthi Rajapaksa was remanded in custody until October 13, 2026. news.az · punchng.com · www.tabla.com.sg
- [● 7 SOURCES] Authorities allege 10 million rupees were collected for a PET/CT scanner for Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · news.az · see.mv · thefrontierpost.com · theshillongtimes.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested in connection with her Siriliya Saviya Foundation. myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · see.mv · www.tabla.com.sg · theshillongtimes.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Opposition lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa is in custody regarding an Airbus aircraft deal from 2013. myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · www.index.hr · see.mv · thefrontierpost.com · www.euronews.com