Why Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksas are being investigated for corruption and crimes
Summary
Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was arrested for allegedly misusing charity donations meant for a children’s hospital. Other family members, including their son Namal Rajapaksa, face separate bribery charges amid investigations into corruption linked to the Rajapaksa family, who ruled Sri Lanka for nearly 20 years.Key Facts
- Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested on October 7 for allegedly misusing about $30,000 donated for hospital equipment.
- Namal Rajapaksa, their son and a key member of the Rajapaksa political party, is in custody on bribery charges.
- The Rajapaksa family governed Sri Lanka from 2005 until a public uprising in 2022 forced them out.
- Mahinda Rajapaksa was President and is credited with ending a 26-year civil war against Tamil separatists.
- Mahinda’s brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, served as defense secretary during the war and later became president in 2019.
- The family borrowed nearly $7 billion from China for infrastructure, facing corruption accusations.
- After economic crises and protests in 2022, Gotabaya fled the country, leading to a caretaker government.
- The new president, elected in 2024, has promised to pursue anti-corruption measures against the Rajapaksa family.
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