Shiranthi Summoned Over Missing Rs. 10 Mn CT Scanner Funds in Siriliya Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been summoned to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division on September 24 to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into financial transactions linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation.

Investigators are seeking to record a statement from Rajapaksa regarding an incident in which Rs. 10 million was reportedly obtained from a state-owned bank and deposited into a Siriliya account for the stated purpose of purchasing a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.

According to the investigation team, inquiries conducted so far have not established that a CT scanner was ultimately purchased using the funds deposited into the account.

Investigators have also reportedly uncovered information indicating that the equipment presented to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital was in fact a PET scanning machine donated by China, rather than a CT scanner purchased through the fundraising effort.

As part of the investigation, officers attached to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division have already recorded statements from Pradeep Kariyawasam, who served as Chairman of the state bank that allegedly provided the Rs. 10 million contribution.

Meanwhile, officials had informed Shiranthi Rajapaksa to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division on September 24 to provide a statement regarding the matter.

However, she left the country in the early hours of yesterday, shortly after being notified of the requirement to appear before investigators.