Former First Lady remains remanded until Oct. 13 over alleged Rs. 10 million misappropriation linked to a CT scanner purchase for Lady Ridgeway Hospital
By The Pulseline News Desk
The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today (12) rejected an anticipatory bail application filed by former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who sought protection against arrest in connection with an investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the Siriliya Saviya organisation.
The application was considered after the court directed the Officer-in-Charge of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to appear and submit facts relating to the investigation. The matter was previously taken up on October 6, when the court issued notice for today’s hearing.
Shiranthi, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on October 7 and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, which ordered her to be remanded until October 13.
The investigation centres on allegations that Rs. 10 million obtained from the National Savings Bank (NSB) through Siriliya Saviya was intended to finance the purchase of a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.
Investigators allege that the scanner was never supplied and that the funds were misappropriated.
Shiranthi faces allegations of corruption and the misappropriation of public funds, including offences under the Public Property Act.
The rejection of the anticipatory bail application marks another development in the investigation into the Siriliya Saviya account. However, the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the court’s decision on anticipatory bail does not itself determine Shiranthi’s guilt or innocence.
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