A Colombo magistrate has remanded Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, until 13 October after her arrest over alleged misuse of charity funds.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested the 73-year-old after recording a statement at her Colombo residence. The allegations concern money collected through her Siriliya Saviya charity for a scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.
Investigators said Rohitha Rajapaksa is also under investigation for alleged money laundering. The Rajapaksa family and their associates have denied wrongdoing and accused the Government of political vendetta.
A list of 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases was tabled in Parliament on Thursday. Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said authorities were reviving cases that stalled a decade ago, and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said criminal investigations would also be pursued.
Shiranthi Rajapaksa is due to be produced before the court again on 13 October.