By: Isuru Parakrama
October 12, Colombo (LNW): Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been admitted to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo while being held on remand at Welikada Prison, according to reports.
Her latest hospital admission comes after a series of medical consultations in recent days. On 9 October, she was taken to the National Eye Hospital for specialist treatment before being returned to prison. A day earlier, prison authorities had referred her to a medical specialist over an eye-related complaint.
Rajapaksa remains in custody following her arrest on October 07 by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). She was taken into custody at her residence on Poorwarama Road in Kirulapone as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving an account associated with the Siriliya Saviya Fund.
The Bribery Commission stated that the arrest followed the recording of a statement from Rajapaksa lasting nearly two hours, during which investigators questioned her over transactions linked to the fund.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court subsequently ordered that she remain in remand custody until 13 October. Additional Magistrate Darshima Premaratne also instructed prison officials to facilitate the medical care she requires at a private hospital in Colombo.
Separately, the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court dismissed an application for anticipatory bail submitted by Rajapaksa in connection with the possibility of arrest by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), which is investigating matters relating to the Siriliya Saviya Fund account.
Rajapaksa is the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The investigations into the fund and the circumstances surrounding the disputed financial transactions remain ongoing.
