Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations involving Rs. 10 million obtained for the purchase of a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.
According to CIABOC, the money had been obtained from the National Savings Bank through the Siriliya Saviya organisation, stating that it would be used to provide a computerized tomography (CT) scanner to the hospital.
The Bribery Commission alleges that the CT scanner was not provided to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital using the Rs. 10 million and that the government funds were instead dishonestly misappropriated.
CIABOC said Rajapaksa was arrested on allegations of committing the offence of corruption and offences under the Public Property Act in connection with the funds.
She was arrested by CIABOC investigators at around 9.56 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in Poorwarama, Kirulapone.
The Commission said she is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)
