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Friday, October 9 2026
Friday, October 9 2026
MONETABRIEF – More members of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family and their associates are expected to be hauled up under Sri Lanka’s renewed anti-corruption drive following the arrest of former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested over allegations that funds collected through her Siriliya Saviya charity for a scanner for Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children were misused. A Colombo magistrate later ordered her to be remanded in custody until October 13.
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family is facing investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and misuse of public funds. A separate investigation is also under way into the murder of former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested the 73-year-old former first lady after recording a statement from her at her Colombo residence.
Investigators said Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son in the family, was also under investigation for alleged money laundering. Namal Rajapaksa, a scion of the Rajapaksa family, is facing allegations linked to a $2.3 billion Airbus deal in 2013.
Mahinda Rajapaksa himself has also been accused of receiving kickbacks in connection with the same deal, but his accuser, former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena was found dead before he was due to go before court in May.
The Rajapaksa family and their associates have denied the allegations and accused the government of pursuing a political vendetta.
The anti-corruption drive, which has become a top priority for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is not limited to the Rajapaksa family, their friends or relatives.
Cases dating from 2015 to 2019 are now being taken up. Even former Board of Investment chief Thilan Wijesinghe faces possible arrest and prosecution, according to a list of 50 emblematic corruption, fraud and criminal cases tabled in Parliament on Thursday.
Apart from corruption cases, criminal investigations will also be pursued with renewed vigour, according to Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who is also the Leader of the House.
He said former Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne had attempted to disrupt the investigation into the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. The former police chief faces possible arrest.
Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament on Thursday that the authorities were reviving cases that had stalled a decade ago. (Colombo/Oct. 9, 2026
| 3 month bill | 9.25% | 5bp ▲ |
| 12-m bill | 9.95% | 2bp ▲ |
| Gold (Ounce) | $4602 | - - |
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