Colombo – Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested on Saturday in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation related to a property purchase. Authorities detained the ex-navy officer at his family’s stronghold in Beliatta, citing alleged financial misconduct linked to acquisitions made during his father’s tenure prior to 2015.
His arrest follows recent legal action against several members of the Rajapaksa family, as Sri Lanka’s newly formed National People’s Power government intensifies efforts to investigate financial irregularities tied to the previous administration.
Legal Action Extends to Multiple Rajapaksa Family Members
Yoshitha Rajapaksa is the second of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s three sons and now the latest family member to face legal scrutiny. His uncle, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was also questioned last week regarding the same property—a holiday residence in the religious town of Kataragama.
Meanwhile, Namal Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son and a sitting legislator, was recently interrogated by police over a separate property case, further escalating the Rajapaksa family’s legal challenges.
Mahinda Rajapaksa Seeks Supreme Court Intervention
The arrest coincides with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fundamental rights petition filed in the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking the restoration of his security detail, which was significantly reduced by the government last month. The former president argues that the decision endangers his safety, while opposition figures contend that his security should align with standard provisions for retired heads of state.
Revival of Corruption Cases Against Rajapaksa Family
The recent developments reflect a broader effort by the new administration, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to pursue legal action against individuals accused of financial misconduct during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency (2005–2015). The government had previously pledged to hold accountable those implicated in corruption and misuse of state resources.
Notably, Namal Rajapaksa has also been indicted in the Colombo High Court for alleged misappropriation of funds from an Indian investment deal. Authorities accuse him of diverting 70 million Sri Lankan rupees from the Krish hotel project—an initiative backed by Indian investors that was left unfinished. The funds were allegedly used to finance rugby, a sport in which Namal Rajapaksa once represented Sri Lanka internationally.
Following the reopening of the case, Namal Rajapaksa was questioned by police and later released on bail. He has since publicly condemned the charges, describing them as politically motivated and part of a targeted campaign against the Rajapaksa family.
Political Implications and Future Proceedings
As legal proceedings continue, the Rajapaksa family maintains that the actions taken against them constitute political persecution. With investigations widening and multiple cases being revived under the current government, Sri Lanka’s political landscape remains deeply polarized.
Observers anticipate further legal challenges as authorities seek to uphold accountability, while the Rajapaksa family’s allies argue that the government’s crackdown is an attempt to weaken their political influence ahead of upcoming elections.
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