Who is Shiranthi Rajapaksa? Sri Lanka’s former first lady arrested over alleged misuse of hospital funds
Sri Lanka’s former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been arrested over allegations of misusing LKR 10 million (approx 29.3 lakhs) linked to a charity she headed.The 73-year-old was arrested at her Colombo home on Wednesday by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). She was later produced before a Colombo court, which ordered her to remain in custody until October 13 while investigations continue.
What is the case against Shiranthi Rajapaksa?
The investigation centres on Siriliya Saviya, a charitable organisation headed by Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Investigators allege that LKR 10 million obtained from the state-run National Savings Bank was meant to help provide a CT scanner to Colombo’s Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, but that the scanner was not supplied and the funds were instead misused.The case also involves former National Savings Bank chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam, who was arrested over allegations that the money was transferred to the Siriliya Saviya account without following proper procedures. He was later released on bail.There is a dispute over what happened to the money. Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s lawyers told court that the funds remain in the Siriliya Saviya bank account and have not been misappropriated. Her defence also said the organisation had been trying to raise about LKR 160 million for the CT scanner.Sri Lankan officials have also pointed to the fact that a scanner had already been donated to the hospital by China, raising questions over the purpose of the funds collected for the equipment.Rajapaksa has denied wrongdoing.
Who is Shiranthi Rajapaksa?
Shiranthi Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka’s first lady during her husband Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency from 2005 to 2015. She was closely associated with Siriliya Saviya, which undertook charitable and welfare activities during her years as first lady.Mahinda Rajapaksa dominated Sri Lankan politics for years, serving as president from 2005 to 2015 and gaining popularity after government forces defeated the LTTE in 2009, ending the 26-year civil war. His family subsequently became a powerful political dynasty, with his brothers, sons and other relatives holding key positions.His popularity waned amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power, and he lost the presidency in 2015. The family returned to power in 2019 when his brother Gotabaya became president, but his government was eventually overwhelmed by an economic crisis that triggered mass protests in 2022 and forced him to resign and flee the country.
Why are the Rajapaksas facing corruption cases now?
Sri Lanka’s current president Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in 2024 on an anti-corruption platform and pledged to pursue cases involving alleged wrongdoing under previous governments.His government has since revived several investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family.Shiranthi’s arrest follows legal troubles involving her sons as well. Her eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, a lawmaker and former minister, has been detained in a separate bribery case. Another son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was also arrested earlier this year on corruption-related allegations.
