LONDON — Sri Lankan police detained former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa on Thursday on suspicion of corruption linked to public contracts awarded during her husband Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 2010‑2015 presidency, officials said. The arrest follows a broader crackdown on alleged graft that began in early 2026 and coincides with international scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s human‑rights record after a Saudi court overturned a death sentence against a Sri Lankan migrant worker.
Corruption probe expands to former first lady
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed that Rajapaksa was taken into custody at her Colombo residence after a magistrate issued a warrant under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators have seized documents relating to three infrastructure projects valued at more than ₹12 billion, alleging that the contracts were awarded without competitive bidding.
Police said the suspect will appear before the Colombo High Court on Friday. No formal charges have been filed, and Rajapaksa’s legal team has not commented publicly.
Saudi court reverses death sentence for Sri Lankan worker
In a separate development, Amnesty International reported that a Saudi court on 5 October 2026 overturned a death sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan migrant worker for a social‑media post deemed offensive. The worker, identified only as “M.”, had been sentenced to death in 2024 under the kingdom’s cyber‑crimes law. The appellate court cited procedural irregularities and ordered a retrial, effectively commuting the sentence to a prison term.
Human‑rights groups welcomed the decision, noting that it underscores growing pressure on Saudi authorities to align criminal procedures with international standards. The case has drawn attention to the precarious legal position of South Asian migrant workers in the Gulf, many of whom lack consular support.
Drought intensifies economic strain
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst drought in two decades, with reservoir levels at 38 percent of capacity as of 1 October 2026. The dry spell has reduced rice output by an estimated 15 percent compared with the 2025 harvest, prompting the government to import an additional 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat to stabilise food prices.
Economists warned that the combined impact of the drought, the corruption probe and the migrant‑worker case could hamper the island’s recovery from the 2023 debt crisis. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has projected a 0.4 percent contraction in GDP for the current fiscal year, citing lower agricultural yields and reduced foreign‑direct investment.
International response
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issued a statement urging Sri Lankan authorities to ensure due process for Rajapaksa and to protect the rights of migrant workers abroad. The statement referenced the UN’s Convention against Corruption and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice released a brief note confirming the appellate court’s decision and reaffirming its commitment to “fair and transparent judicial proceedings.” No further comment was provided on the broader implications for foreign workers.
Political fallout
Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, now serving as prime minister, called the arrest “a necessary step to restore public confidence in governance.” He added that the administration would cooperate fully with any judicial inquiry.
Supporters of the Rajapaksa family described the detention as “politically motivated,” alleging that the ruling coalition is using anti‑corruption measures to weaken rival factions ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.
Analysts note that the convergence of domestic corruption allegations, a high‑profile human‑rights case abroad, and a climate‑driven agricultural crisis places Sri Lanka at a crossroads. The government’s handling of each issue will likely influence foreign aid flows, especially from the International Monetary Fund, which has stipulated governance reforms as a condition for its next disbursement.
