The 73-year-old wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested on Wednesday by Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and appeared before a court in Colombo, Anadolu Agency reported.
Authorities allege that Rajapaksa obtained 10 million Sri Lankan rupees, about $30,250, from the National Savings Bank to provide a CT scanner to Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children through the Siriya Saviya organization.
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Investigators allege that the scanner was never provided and that the funds were instead diverted for personal use.
A judge ordered Rajapaksa to remain in custody until October 13, according to local media reports.
Former National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam was also arrested in connection with the investigation. He was later released on bail and barred from leaving the country.
Kariyawasam appeared before the court over allegations that he facilitated the transfer of the funds to the Siriya Saviya account while serving as an official at the state-owned bank and did so without following proper procedures.
The case is part of a broader effort by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government to revive corruption investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family.
The Rajapaksas were a dominant force in Sri Lankan politics for roughly two decades, with several members of the family holding senior political positions during that period.
The latest investigation adds to growing scrutiny of the family as Sri Lankan authorities pursue cases involving alleged misuse of public funds and other financial misconduct.
