Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested at her residence in Colombo on Wednesday over allegations of misusing donations collected for a children’s hospital. The former first lady was taken to the anti-corruption commission’s office for further questioning.
The 73-year-old is accused of misusing about 10 million rupees from the charity donations. The arrest comes as the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revives a long-dormant anti-corruption investigation.
Allegations over children’s hospital donations
The case concerns funds collected by a charity for a children’s hospital. The commission arrested Rajapaksa as part of its investigation into the alleged misuse of the donations.
The allegations have not been established in court. Rajapaksa was taken to the commission’s office for questioning following her arrest.
