Sri Lanka arrests Rajapaksa ex-minister for alleged corruption

COLOMBO – The Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption authorities arrested a member of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family on Aug 6, accusing him of illegally claiming reparations for property loss when his presidential uncle was toppled three years ago.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (Ciaboc) said it had taken Shasheendra Rajapaksa, a former minister and nephew of two former Sri Lankan presidents, Mahinda and Gotabaya, into custody.

Shasheendra becomes the first Rajapaksa to be arrested since the leftist government of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September, promising to investigate corruption.

“Rajapaksa is charged with corruption for coercing state officials into paying him compensation for damage to a property he claimed was his,” Ciaboc said in a statement.

“However, this asset is located on state-owned land. He misused state land, claimed compensation he was not entitled to, and committed the offence of corruption.”

Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis in 2022 when it declared its first sovereign default on US$46 billion (S$59.2 billion) in external debt.

Months of consumer goods shortages sparked widespread civil unrest, culminating in the ousting of then Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Two of Shasheendra Rajapaksa’s cousins, Namal and Yoshitha, both sons of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, are facing money laundering charges.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa has told investigators that he raised a large sum of money from a bag of gems given by an elderly grandaunt, who has since stated that she could not recall who originally gave her the gems.

Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brother-in-law, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, has been charged over causing losses to the state while head of the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines.

Another brother of Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa – Basil – who also served as a minister, is facing money laundering charges. AFP