Sri Lanka ex-leader’s son arrested over corruption

COLOMBO:

The son of Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested on Wednesday on corruption charges, the anti-graft commission said, the latest case to target the once all-powerful political clan.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, 38, is accused of tapping state funds for overseas training during his career as a naval officer.

The Bribery Commission said he is being investigated for having risen through the ranks without the necessary qualifications and going to Britain for government-funded officer training.

He was already an accused in two money-laundering cases and subject to a foreign travel ban, and had been out on bail until his detention.

“He was arrested on a charge of aiding and abetting, in connection with his recruitment without the minimum qualifications, and subsequently using state funds for overseas training,” the commission said in a statement.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa attended a prestigious course at Dartmouth, Britain’s naval college.