Sri Lanka's Ex-First Lady Arrested Over Alleged Charity Fraud
Key Takeaways
- Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested over alleged charity donation misuse.
- The investigation focuses on 10 million rupees raised for a children's hospital.
- Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing, and her representatives claim the funds are safe.
- The arrest is part of renewed anti-corruption probes under the current administration.
Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was detained shortly after returning from Singapore for medical treatment. The investigation centers on donations collected by the Siriliya Saviya charity, which were reportedly earmarked for a hospital scanner. Representatives for the Rajapaksa family insist the money is untouched and no fraud took place.
This arrest is part of a broader series of renewed corruption investigations initiated by the administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Several members of the Rajapaksa family, including their sons Namal and Yoshitha, have also faced recent arrests amid efforts to address historical governance scandals.
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