Rajapaksa colleagues face arrest

Sri Lankan investigators have found enough evidence to arrest members of the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime for alleged corruption and rights abuses during his 10-year rule, a senior minister said.

“Investigations are nearing end. All will be arrested and taken to court,” said Rajitha Senaratne, minister of health and government spokesperson.

Mr Senaratne said enough evidence has been uncovered to hold trials against former regime members facing human rights abuse and corruption charges.

He said the government did not interfere in the probe as the investigators were provided complete independence.

Independent investigations were made possible as the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena formed after the January 2015 presidential poll restored the freedom of the law enforcement agencies, he told reporters.

The Sirisena government has pledged to restore the rule of law, advocating stringent action against the Rajapaksa regime members for alleged corruption, wrongdoings and rights abuses.

But Sri Lankan people have shown discontent over the slow pace of the investigations. There have been allegations that the Sirisena government was shielding some of the alleged perpetrators to cut-in political deals.The Rajapaksa loyalists have denied any wrongdoing during the 10-year rule of the former Sinhala strongman, even dubbing the action taken by the present government a political witchhunt.

Since Mr Rajapaksa’s defeat in January presidential polls, family members and close associates of the former president have faced corruption allegations, including having secret bank accounts overseas.

Some of them, including then economic development minister and Mr Rajapaksa’s younger brother Basil, were arrested.

Mr Rajapaksa’s wife Shiranthi was also quizzed by the police. His sons are said to be linked to the murder of a popular rugby player. The Rajapaksas have denied the charges.