3 hrs ago
Sri Lanka Arrests Former First Lady in Charity Fraud Investigation
Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former first lady, was arrested over money linked to her charity, Siriliya Saviya.
Officials allege that LKR 10 million from a state bank was misused.
One report says the money was collected for a scanner for a children’s cancer hospital.
Investigators said the scanner had already been donated by China.
Rajapaksa says she did nothing wrong, and her lawyer says she will challenge the allegations.
Her lawyers had asked a court to protect her from arrest.
A former state-bank chairman was also arrested in connection with the donation.
The allegations have not been proven in the reports.
Sri Lanka’s anti-graft commission arrested 73-year-old Shiranthi Rajapaksa on Wednesday at her home in Polhengoda, Colombo.
The commission alleges that LKR 10 million from a state bank was obtained and misused through her Siriliya Saviya charity.
One report says the money was donations collected for a children’s hospital PET scanner; investigators said the scanner had already been donated by China.
Rajapaksa’s lawyer said she denies wrongdoing and will contest the allegations; her lawyers had sought anticipatory bail.
The commission also arrested former National Savings Bank chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam in connection with the donation; reports differ on whether her next scheduled appearance was October 12 or October 13.
- Who
- Shiranthi Rajapaksa, her charity Siriliya Saviya, and former National Savings Bank chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam.
- What
- Rajapaksa was arrested over alleged misuse of LKR 10 million linked to her charity; Kariyawasam was also arrested in connection with the donation.
- Where
- Rajapaksa was arrested at her home in Polhengoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- Wednesday; the reports identify the date as October 7. She returned from Singapore on Monday.
- Why
- The anti-graft commission alleges that state-bank funds linked to the charity were obtained and misused.
Authorities’ allegations
Rajapaksa’s response
Use of charity funds
Authorities’ allegations
The anti-graft commission alleges that LKR 10 million from a state bank was obtained and misused through the charity. One report says donations were collected for a children’s hospital PET scanner, although investigators said China had already donated one.
Rajapaksa’s response
Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing. Her lawyer said she would contest the allegations, and reports say her lawyers sought anticipatory bail.
Political context
Authorities’ allegations
One report says the government has revived long-dormant graft investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family.
Rajapaksa’s response
The reports say the Rajapaksa family has dismissed corruption cases against them as politically motivated.
Key facts
- Age
- 73
- Alleged amount
- LKR 10 million
- Charity
- Siriliya Saviya
- Arresting agency
- Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC)
- Related bank
- National Savings Bank
- Other arrest
- Former bank chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam
- Bail hearing
- Reports give October 12 and October 13 as the scheduled date for her appearance.
Quotes
CIABOC official
An official from Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
“The arrest is in connection with her Siriliya Saviya Foundation.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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