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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [POLITICS]
6 clusters · 23 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated
Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrested in charity graft probe
Overview
On October 7, 2026, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The arrest follows an investigation into the Siriliya Saviya Foundation regarding the alleged misuse of donations. Specifically, investigators claim the foundation solicited 10 million rupees for a PET/CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, despite the equipment having already been donated by the Chinese government.
A magistrate ordered Rajapaksa to be remanded in custody until October 13, 2026. Her legal counsel has requested bail, citing serious medical issues including a history of fainting and blocked arteries. On October 11, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court rejected an anticipatory bail application from Rajapaksa that sought to prevent arrest by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) regarding the Siriliya Saviya account. She faces charges of corruption and offenses under the Public Property Act.
On October 14, a court extended the detention of Rajapaksa. These legal actions are part of a wider crackdown by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration targeting graft involving the Rajapaksa family. This follows previous investigations into the foundation regarding the misuse of approximately Rs. 100 million from the National Savings Bank, suspicious People’s Bank transactions, and the alleged misuse of customs duty waivers intended for the Ministry of Sports to import luxury buses for a preschool. The probe has also led to the arrest of former National Savings Bank chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, who was released on bail. Additionally, her son, parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, remains in custody following his arrest a month prior on bribery charges.
Entities
Shiranthi Rajapaksa · Financial Crimes Investigation Division · Mahinda Rajapaksa · Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children · Siriliya Saviya Foundation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Authorities allege 10 million rupees were collected for a PET/CT scanner for Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defense maintains that the 10 million rupees remains untouched in the foundation's account.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Opposition lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa is in custody regarding an Airbus aircraft deal from 2013.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested in connection with her Siriliya Saviya Foundation.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Former National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam was arrested for allegedly facilitating the fund transfer without proper procedures.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The medical scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government, but the charity continued to solicit donations.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was arrested for corruption related to misuse of state funds in 2006.
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 3 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa detained amid corruption investigation
A Sri Lankan court has extended the detention of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa amid investigations into the alleged misuse of charity donations for a children’s hospital.
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[POLITICS] 4 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa's bail application rejected by Sri Lankan court
Sri Lankan courts rejected anticipatory bail for former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is facing corruption charges related to the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for a hospital CT scanner.
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[POLITICS] 19 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa arrested in Sri Lanka charity graft probe
Former Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been arrested for allegedly misusing 10 million rupees in charity donations intended for a children's hospital scanner.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa faces investigation into alleged financial crimes
Former Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa faces investigation by the FCID over alleged financial irregularities, foundation misuse, and corruption involving luxury imports and hospital donations.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa travels to Singapore amid foundation fund probe
Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa traveled to Singapore for medical treatment amid FCID investigations into alleged financial irregularities at the Siriliya Saviya Foundation.
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[CRIME] 3 sourcesShiranthi Rajapaksa to be questioned over CT scanner funds
Sri Lanka's FCID will question former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa over the alleged misuse of Rs. 10 million intended for a hospital CT scanner that was ultimately donated by China.
Sources
asianmirror.lk · bahamasspectator.com · english.gossiplankanews.com · es.euronews.com · euronews.net · frontpage.lk · gandul.ro · global.liputan6.com · index.hr · lankanewspapers.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · news.az · newswire.lk · onlanka.com · punchng.com · see.mv · srilankabrief.org · srilankachronicle.com · tabla.com.sg · thefrontierpost.com · thelocalreport.in · theshillongtimes.com · tob.news
This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history