Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption authorities have arrested former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa as part of an investigation into alleged misuse of charitable donations intended for a children’s hospital. The arrest, which took place on Wednesday, marks a significant development in renewed efforts by the current government to pursue graft allegations linked to the Rajapaksa family, which held considerable political power in the country for nearly two decades.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa, 73, was detained by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (Ciaboc) and questioned for nearly seven hours before being remanded in custody by a magistrate in Colombo until October 13. Due to an eye condition, the magistrate directed that she be admitted to the prison hospital during her detention.

The probe centers on the Siriliya Saviya Foundation, a charity founded by Rajapaksa, which reportedly collected funds to purchase medical equipment for hospitals, including a facility dedicated to treating childhood cancers. Authorities allege that donations intended for these purposes were misappropriated.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s legal representative, Manoj Gamage, stated that she denies the allegations and intends to contest the charges brought against her.

In a related development on the same day, Rohitha Bogollagama, a former foreign minister during the Rajapaksa administration, was also taken into custody for corruption-related charges. The 72-year-old has been accused of misusing state funds in 2006 while serving as minister of investment promotion. The Colombo High Court ordered his continued detention until the conclusion of his ongoing trial.

The arrests and ongoing investigations reflect the renewed focus of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration on addressing corruption cases that had been dormant for several years. The Rajapaksa family’s influence in Sri Lankan politics has waned significantly amid a series of scandals and legal challenges, as authorities aim to improve governance and accountability within the country.