COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The spouse of Sri Lanka’s influential former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was detained Wednesday over allegations of misappropriating charitable donations received during her tenure as first lady.
Shiranthi Rajapaksa was questioned at her residence before being presented to a court, which ordered her detention for one week pending ongoing investigations. Authorities subsequently transported Rajapaksa, who had one eye bandaged following recent surgery, to a correctional facility.
The charges stem from accusations that she diverted funds donated to her charitable organization by a state-owned bank, which were originally intended for purchasing medical equipment for a government hospital. The former bank executive responsible for approving the transfer was also arrested on suspicion of bypassing proper procedures and was later released on bail.
Namal Rajapaksa, the son of the former first couple and a sitting lawmaker, remains in custody facing separate bribery charges.
The Rajapaksa family previously enjoyed widespread support among the country’s majority Sinhalese Buddhist population due to Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabhaya leading the military operation that ended the 26-year civil conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009.
Nevertheless, public sentiment shifted following his re-election in 2010 amid growing concerns over graft, authoritarian governance, and suppression of civil liberties, culminating in his electoral defeat during the 2015 presidential race. The family’s extensive influence became apparent through multiple relatives occupying key government roles.
The clan regained political prominence in 2019 after Islamist militant attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday, killing 267 people. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa won the presidency later that year but resigned and fled abroad amidst severe economic collapse triggered by pandemic-related disruptions, declining tourism revenues, and fiscal mismanagement. Widespread demonstrations ultimately forced his departure.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office in 2024 vowing to prosecute members of the Rajapaksa dynasty and other officials implicated in corruption under previous governments.
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