LONDON — Sri Lankan authorities took former first lady Shivanthi Rajapaksa into custody on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, on suspicion of corruption, and Saudi Arabia’s appellate court overturned a death sentence against a Sri Lankan migrant worker who had been convicted for a social‑media post, Amnesty International reported.
Arrest in Colombo
Police in Colombo said the former first lady was arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act after investigators linked her to alleged irregularities in the procurement of government contracts during her husband’s presidency. The investigation, launched by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, focused on land deals and public‑sector tenders between 2015 and 2019. No formal charges have been filed yet, and Rajapaksa remains in police custody pending a court hearing.
Saudi court reverses death penalty
Amnesty International confirmed that the Saudi appellate court nullified a death sentence handed down in 2024 to a 28‑year‑old Sri Lankan construction worker who had posted criticism of a government official on a social‑media platform. The court cited procedural deficiencies and ordered the case to be retried under standard criminal procedures. The worker, whose name was not disclosed, will now face a lesser penalty, according to the court’s written decision.
International reaction
Human‑rights groups welcomed the Saudi decision, calling it a rare instance of judicial review in a system where capital punishment for defamation is common. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime noted that the reversal aligns with broader calls for reform of Saudi criminal law. In Sri Lanka, opposition parties demanded a transparent trial for Rajapaksa, citing the need to restore public confidence after a series of high‑profile corruption scandals that have plagued the island nation since the 2022 economic crisis.
Geopolitical context
Sri Lanka’s fragile economy, still recovering from a sovereign‑default episode in 2022, relies heavily on remittances from overseas workers, many of whom are employed in the Gulf states. The Saudi case underscores the vulnerability of migrant laborers to harsh legal regimes abroad. Meanwhile, the Rajapaksa arrest comes as the country negotiates a new aid package with the International Monetary Fund and seeks to reassure foreign investors of a clean‑up of entrenched patronage networks.
Legal and diplomatic implications
The Sri Lankan government has not commented on the specifics of the investigation, but a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said the case will be handled in accordance with the rule of law. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice issued a brief statement confirming that the appellate court’s decision was based on “ensuring procedural fairness” and did not elaborate further.
