Police summoned former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa for questioning over allegations that her charity misused donations, tightening authorities’ anti-corruption drive.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has revived long-dormant graft investigations involving members of the once powerful Rajapaksa family.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) served the summons shortly before Shiranthi, 73, flew to Singapore for medical treatment, family spokesman Manoj Gamage said.
He rejected suggestions that she was trying to evade investigators by leaving the country, saying she was travelling abroad for medical treatment.
Police said the FCID wanted to question Shiranthi over the 10 million rupees (RM424,500) collected in donations by her Siriliya Saviya charity for a PET scanner intended for a local cancer hospital.
Investigators have told a court that the scanner had already been donated by the Chinese government, but the charity allegedly continued to solicit donations and misused the funds.
Gamage has denied any wrongdoing, saying the money had not been misappropriated. — AFP
