Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, appeared before the Police Financial Crimes Division (FCID) on February 3 to give a statement regarding an investigation into the Siriliya Saviya organization, a charity linked to her. She was questioned for several hours. This was her second summons, following a previously requested extension. On the same day, Namal Rajapaksa was also summoned—this time by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)—to record a statement concerning his alleged links to Kehelbaddara Padme, an organized crime leader recently extradited to Sri Lanka.
As a result of the dual interrogations, York Street in Colombo Fort—which houses both the FCID and the CID—was heavily congested. Crowds of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters gathered in the area, while the police positioned officers strategically to block access to the entrances of both investigative units.
SLPP Issues a Statement Defending Shiranthi Rajapaksa
The SLPP released a detailed statement criticizing the decision to summon Shiranthi Rajapaksa. According to the party, Siriliya Saviya was established as a voluntary social service organization under the Voluntary Social Organizations Act No. 31 of 1980 and was formally registered on December 8, 2006, under registration number TKA‑111201. The organization’s stated purpose was to undertake welfare programs aimed at poverty alleviation and to provide social services not covered by existing state institutions. The SLPP further claimed that positive feedback from beneficiaries across the country attested to the organization’s value and that people continue to request assistance from it today.
The party also argued that the Good Governance (Yahapalana) Government, which came to power in 2015, launched an investigation into Siriliya Saviya despite it being, in their view, a reputable and longstanding charity. They said that Shiranthi Rajapaksa and other officials repeatedly cooperated with investigations conducted by the CID, FCID, and the Bribery Commission. According to the SLPP, these investigations effectively paralyzed the charity’s operations, leaving the public deprived of its services. Legal attempts to resume operations allegedly failed due to “arbitrary” conduct by investigators. The party described the renewed investigation—11 years after the previous one—as politically motivated repression.
The SLPP statement further claimed it was paradoxical that investigators were re-examining financial records that had been seized by the FCID itself during the 2015 inquiry. They argued that a fair reading of events—“without political hatred”—would show that an attempt to suppress political opponents is ongoing. Despite this defense, the statement raised eyebrows, as Shiranthi Rajapaksa is not officially a member of the SLPP or a holder of any position within the party. Critics questioned why the party would issue such a statement unless acting to protect the Rajapaksa family.
Background of the Siriliya Saviya Account Controversy
Further scrutiny surrounds the operations of Siriliya Saviya, particularly its bank account held at the People’s Bank, Suduwella branch (Account No. 143100146235069). Concerns first surfaced following a report in the Ravaya newspaper on February 8, 2015, which triggered the police investigation.
According to the revelation, the account had been opened using incomplete and inaccurate information, raising questions about how the bank allowed the account to be created. The authorized signatories on the account were listed as:
- S. Rajapaksa (identified as Shiranthi Rajapaksa)
- A.M.J.A. Kumari
- K.K. Dissanayake
Any one of the three was permitted to withdraw funds. The registered address for all three individuals was Carlton Bungalow, Tangalle, the Rajapaksa family residence.
More critically, the National Identity Card numbers provided were as follows:
- S. Rajapaksa – 222222222
- A.M.J.A. Kumari – 111111111
- K.K. Dissanayake – 587060958
The first two numbers were clearly fabricated. The bank held no copies of NICs or related documents for these individuals. Furthermore, another bank account held by someone named K.K. Dissanayake listed a different NIC number, adding to the irregularities. At the time the story broke, the account held Rs. 43.8 million.
The organization was also registered with the National Secretariat for NGOs, listing Carlton Bungalow as its address but failing to provide a contact person’s name. The telephone number listed—011 4733200—belonged to the Presidential House. Online searches also listed the organization’s address as President’s House, Colombo, raising further questions about the blending of state resources with a private charity.
Attempts to Withdraw Funds and Internal Bank Tensions
Before police investigations formally began, Shiranthi Rajapaksa reportedly attempted to withdraw funds from the account once media reporting exposed its details. The bank refused due to the controversy. Subsequently, internal tensions arose at People’s Bank when employees accessed the account internally to verify the information that had become public. Several senior bank officials attempted to discipline these employees. Only the intervention of then–Chairman Hemasiri Fernando and the Bank of Ceylon Employees’ Union prevented punitive action. Despite a new government being in power, the incident suggested that segments of the bank still operated in a manner perceived to be favorable to the Rajapaksas.
Investigation Resumes After Long Delay
The Siriliya Saviya investigation—initiated under the Yahapalana government but later stalled—now appears to have restarted, as indicated by Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s recent summons. Analysts suggest that political pressure may have delayed the probe for years. If the investigation continues, courts may soon receive detailed reports on the charity’s accounts and related allegations, including the apparent misuse of state properties such as the Presidential House and its telecommunication resources.
( Source- Anidda Weekly/ Lasantha Ruhunage)