Colombo, September 16, Sri Lanka Brief. – Sri Lankan authorities have summoned former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa for questioning over allegations that donations received by a charitable organisation linked to her were misused, marking the latest development in the government’s renewed anti-corruption campaign targeting members of the influential Rajapaksa family.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) issued the summons on Wednesday, shortly before the 73-year-old former first lady was due to leave for Singapore to undergo medical treatment. Family spokesman Manoj Gamage told reporters that police officers served the notice at the airport before her departure.
The investigation relates to allegations concerning funds collected by the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, a charity established during the presidency of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who served as Sri Lanka’s head of state from 2005 to 2015. The organisation was widely promoted as a social welfare initiative aimed at supporting low-income women and community development projects.
Authorities have been examining claims that millions of rupees received as donations by the foundation were not properly accounted for and may have been diverted for purposes unrelated to its stated charitable objectives. Previous investigations into the foundation remained largely dormant for years despite repeated calls from civil society groups and opposition politicians for legal action.
The questioning of Shiranthi Rajapaksa comes as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration intensifies efforts to pursue long-standing corruption and financial crime cases that had stalled under previous governments. The current administration has pledged to strengthen accountability mechanisms and recover public assets allegedly lost through corruption.
In recent months, law enforcement agencies have reopened several investigations involving members and associates of the Rajapaksa family, which dominated Sri Lankan politics for nearly two decades. The family held key positions in government during and after the country’s civil war, with several relatives occupying senior ministerial and administrative posts.
The renewed investigations have also touched other members of the family. Earlier, authorities arrested Namal Rajapaksa, parliamentarian and son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in connection with an investigation linked to an Airbus aircraft procurement deal. He was subsequently released on bail while inquiries continue.
The Rajapaksa family has consistently denied allegations of corruption and abuse of power. Family members have repeatedly maintained that the cases against them are politically motivated and intended to discredit their role in Sri Lankan politics.
No charges have been filed against Shiranthi Rajapaksa in connection with the latest investigation. Officials said the summons was issued as part of an ongoing inquiry and that further action would depend on evidence gathered during the investigation.
The case is being closely watched as a test of the Dissanayake government’s promise to pursue accountability in several high-profile corruption cases that remained unresolved for years despite extensive public scrutiny.