Arrest of a former first lady tests whether Sri Lanka's revived anti-corruption drive will reach the family that dominated politics for nearly two decades
October 8, 2026 — Sri Lanka's anti-corruption commission arrested Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the former first lady and wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Wednesday, October 7, over allegations that her charity misused donations collected for a children's hospital, and a Colombo magistrate remanded her in custody until October 13.
Image: A Colombo courthouse, a gavel and charity documents beside a children's hospital scanner. Credit: AI-generated illustration / Red Eye Eagle News, original illustration.
Editor's Highlight: The case centres on a relatively small sum — 10 million rupees, about $30,000 — but its political weight is far larger, because it is the latest in a series of revived investigations touching the Rajapaksa family under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing, and no conviction has been recorded in this case.
Table of Contents
- The Arrest in Colombo
- What Investigators Allege About the Charity
- The Defence Response
- Other Arrests on the Same Day
- A Family Facing Several Cases
- Timeline of the Case
- Bottom Line
- FAQ
- Sources
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Person arrested | Shiranthi Rajapaksa, 73, former first lady |
| Arrest date | Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Colombo |
| Arresting agency | Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) |
| Charity involved | Siriliya Saviya Foundation, which she headed |
| Amount in question | Rs 10 million, about $30,000, from National Savings Bank |
| Stated purpose | Scanner / hospital equipment for a children's hospital |
| Court outcome | Remanded in custody until October 13; prison hospital for an eye condition |
| Her position | Denies allegations, will contest the charges, lawyer says |
The Arrest in Colombo
CIABOC officers arrested Rajapaksa on Wednesday morning in Colombo. Reports differ slightly on the sequence at her residence, but both main reports agree she was taken to the commission for questioning.
She was questioned for nearly seven hours, the Daily Express reported.
A court official said she was held until October 13 and admitted to the prison hospital for an eye condition.
Newsroom Focus: Remand is a custody decision while an investigation continues. It is not a finding of guilt, and the allegations still have to be tested in court.
What Investigators Allege About the Charity
The investigation centres on the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, the charity Rajapaksa headed during her husband's presidency.
According to investigators cited in court reporting, the charity raised money for a scanner intended for a children's cancer hospital or children's hospital facility.
Investigators told a court that a scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government. They allege the charity nevertheless continued to solicit donations and misused the funds.
Sri Lankan reporting on the CIABOC statement said the arrest also related to alleged offences under the Public Property Act.
The Defence Response
Her lawyer, Manoj Gamage, told reporters she denied the allegations and would contest charges of misappropriating donations raised for charity.
Rajapaksa has also said, according to the reports, that the money had not been misappropriated.
Analysis Note: Investigators allege misuse; the defence says none occurred. A court will decide which account the evidence supports.
She travelled to Singapore on September 16 for medical treatment and was served a summons at Colombo airport, reports say. She returned on Monday, October 5, after filing a petition to prevent arrest; an anticipatory bail hearing was set for October 12.
Other Arrests on the Same Day
CIABOC also arrested Pradeep Kariyawasam, the former chairman of the state-owned National Savings Bank, in connection with the same donation.
The agency accused him, according to the reports, of giving 10 million rupees in public funds to the charity without following proper financial regulations. He was released on bail.
The same day, Rajapaksa-era foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama, 72, was also arrested, and the Colombo High Court ordered him held until the end of a trial over alleged misuse of state funds in 2006, the Daily Express reported.
A Family Facing Several Cases
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government has revived long-dormant graft investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family, according to both reports.
The family dominated Sri Lankan politics for nearly two decades. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as president from 2005 to 2015 and remains an influential figure.
Another family member is also in custody in a separate matter. The reports say her eldest son, opposition lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, is in remand custody over allegations linked to a 2013 Airbus aircraft deal signed during his father's presidency.
The family has consistently denied corruption allegations and dismissed cases against its members as politically motivated, according to the reports.
Practical Takeaway: For voters, the test is procedural: whether investigators produce bank and hospital records in open court.
Timeline of the Case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2005-2015 | Mahinda Rajapaksa president; Shiranthi Rajapaksa first lady |
| September 16, 2026 | Travel to Singapore for medical treatment; summons served at airport, reports say |
| October 5, 2026 | Return to Sri Lanka on Monday, reports say |
| October 7, 2026 | Arrest by CIABOC in Colombo; court appearance same day |
| October 12, 2026 | Anticipatory bail hearing date reported |
| October 13, 2026 | Remand custody ends / next key court date |
What happens on those dates will show whether custody continues and what evidence investigators place before the court next.
Bottom Line
Shiranthi Rajapaksa's arrest is a significant moment in Sri Lanka's anti-corruption drive, not because of the size of the sum alleged, but because of who is accused and how long the underlying questions have remained unresolved.
She denies wrongdoing. Watch the October 12 and October 13 court steps, any documents filed about the National Savings Bank transfer, and whether investigators substantiate the claim about a scanner already donated by China.
FAQ
Who is Shiranthi Rajapaksa?
She is the 73-year-old wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who served from 2005 to 2015, and was first lady during that period. She headed the Siriliya Saviya Foundation.
Why was she arrested?
CIABOC arrested her over allegations that her charity misused donations and public funds linked to a scanner for a children's hospital, including Rs 10 million from the National Savings Bank, according to investigators.
What has she said?
Her lawyer Manoj Gamage said she denied the allegations and would contest them. She has said the money was not misappropriated, according to the reports.
What happens next?
She was remanded until October 13 and ordered to the prison hospital for an eye condition. An anticipatory bail hearing was reported for October 12.
Is this the only Rajapaksa case?
No. Reports note a separate remand for Namal Rajapaksa over a 2013 Airbus deal allegation, and a same-day arrest of former minister Rohitha Bogollagama in a separate trial matter. Each case is distinct.
Sources
- Daily Express (AFP) - Former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrested in charity graft probe: https://dailyexpress.lk/glocal/36803/
- WE News English - Sri Lanka's Former First Lady Arrested In Charity Graft Probe: https://wenewsenglish.com/sri-lankas-former-first-lady-arrested-in-charity-graft-probe/
- Hari TV - Shiranthi Rajapaksa remanded until October 13: https://haritv.lk/shiranthi-rajapaksa-remanded-until-october-13/
- Ariana News via YouTube - Former Sri Lankan First Lady Arrested Over Corruption Allegations (video embed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWXO4p1WLf0
- Image: AI-generated illustration / Red Eye Eagle News, original illustration.
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