Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption body on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) arrested former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over alleged financial irregularities. She has been remanded until October 13.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said it was arresting Ms. Rajapaksa in connection with an investigation into the alleged misuse of funds at her charity Siriliya Saviya Foundation.
Ms. Rajapaksa travelled to Singapore on September 16 for medical treatment. She was served with a summons at Colombo airport to provide a statement to police in connection with allegations of financial irregularities at her charity. She flew back on Monday (October 5, 2026) after filing a court petition seeking to prevent her arrest, but the hearing for anticipatory bail was fixed for October 12, news agency AFP reported.
Her arrest comes about a month after the Commission arrested opposition lawmaker and her eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa. He is in remand custody following his arrest over corruption allegations in a 2013 Airbus aircraft deal signed when his father Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was President, and an ongoing probe into bribery allegations linked to Indian property development company Krrish’s real estate project in Sri Lanka. The Rajapaksa family has denied any wrongdoing and accused the government of pursuing a political witch-hunt.
The arrests come as part of the ruling National People’s Power government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, in which many politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen are being investigated over graft charges. Authorities appear to be expediting long-dragging investigations.
Eliminating corruption was among the chief poll pledges of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who completed two years in office recently. Addressing a rally of famers in Polonnaruwa district in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province last month, President Dissanayake said that he had “no sympathy for anyone”, and “whether is the mother or grandmother” everyone must face the law.
