Former Sri Lankan first lady detained over alleged charity fraud

On Wednesday police in Colombo arrested Shiranthi Rajapaksa, 73, wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, over allegations that a charity she is linked to diverted 10‑million rupees raised for a specialised scanner at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital.

Anti‑corruption investigators say the money was collected by the Siriliya Saviya charity but never spent on the scanner. Officials note the device was already donated by the Chinese government, raising questions about the purpose of the funds. Shiranthi tells reporters the money has not been misused and remains safely in the charity’s account.

The former first lady returned to Sri Lanka from Singapore last Monday, where she had been receiving medical treatment. She lodged a court petition to prevent her arrest, but the hearing is scheduled for October 12. Her spokesman Manoj Gamage has insisted the accounts are secure and no fraud has occurred.

The case is part of a broader sweep of corruption probes targeting the Rajapaksa family, which once held tight control over Sri Lankan politics. Mr. Rajapaksa, president from 2005 to 2015, faced nationwide protests in 2022 when the economy crashed and food and fuel shortages spiked. Now, under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the government has intensified investigations into former officials, leading to the arrests of MPs Namal and Yoshitha Rajapaksa earlier this year.

Policymakers say the timing of the arrest is not coincidental, with officials citing a need to restore public trust in state institutions. An independent committee will review the charity’s financial records in the coming days, while the court will decide whether Shiranthi remains in custody pending further inquiry.

We will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as new developments emerge, so stay connected for live coverage from Colombo.