Sri Lanka investigation into Shiranthi Rajapaksa foundation

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in Sri Lanka is investigating alleged financial irregularities involving the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, headed by former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The probe focuses on a Rs. 10 million deposit into the foundation’s accounts, which was originally intended for the purchase of a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. It was later discovered that the Chinese government had donated the scanner to the hospital free of charge.

As the investigation progressed, FCID officers served a summons notice to Rajapaksa at Katunayake International Airport while she was preparing to depart for medical treatment in Singapore. A relative accepted the summons on her behalf. Spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Manoj Gamage, denied that the travel was an attempt to evade legal proceedings. He stated that funds intended for a PET scan machine at Apeksha Hospital remained untouched and that the foundation had decided to use collected donations, including a 2 million rupee contribution from People’s Bank, to construct a children’s ward instead. Gamage maintained that no funds were used for the personal use of Rajapaksa or her family.

Investigations have since expanded to include allegations of misusing approximately Rs. 100 million from the National Savings Bank, which was reportedly donated to the foundation without proper verification under the claim that funds were needed for a CT scanner. Authorities are also examining the alleged misuse of customs duty waivers intended for the Ministry of Sports to import luxury buses for a preschool run by Rajapaksa. Further inquiries involve suspicious transactions at a People’s Bank branch and the use of allegedly false National Identity Card numbers for account signatories. Rajapaksa is scheduled to appear before the FCID on September 24 to provide a statement.