Son of former Sri Lankan President arrested on corruption charges
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Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested on Saturday in connection with a corruption investigation related to a property purchase during his father’s presidency before 2015.
He is the second son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who served as Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015.
Yoshitha, a former navy officer, was taken into custody from Beliatta, the family’s home region, as part of an ongoing probe into alleged misconduct involving acquiring a holiday home in Kataragama, a popular religious resort in southern Sri Lanka.
The arrest follows recent questioning of Yoshitha’s uncle, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former president, regarding the same property.
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown by the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assumed office in November last year. The administration has committed to holding those involved in alleged misconduct during Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency accountable.
Earlier, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, who is also a legislator, faced police questioning over a separate property-related case. Additionally, an employee of the former president was interrogated in connection with the allegations.
In response to recent developments, Mahinda Rajapaksa filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking to restore his security, which was significantly reduced by the current government last month.
The government’s actions align with its pre-election promise to address alleged corruption during Rajapaksa's decade-long presidency.