COLOMBO: The son of Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested on Wednesday on corruption charges, the anti-graft commission said, marking the latest case to target the once all-powerful political clan.
Details of the Arrest
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, 38, is accused of misusing state funds for overseas training during his career as a naval officer. The Bribery Commission stated that he is being investigated for advancing through the ranks without the necessary qualifications and for traveling to Britain for government-funded officer training.
He was already facing two money-laundering cases and was subject to a foreign travel ban. He had been out on bail until his recent detention.
Statement from the Commission
“He was arrested on a charge of aiding and abetting, in connection with his recruitment without the minimum qualifications, and subsequently using state funds for overseas training,” the commission said in a statement.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa attended a prestigious course at Dartmouth, Britain’s naval college. The case highlights ongoing investigations into the Rajapaksa family, which has dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades.
