Sri Lanka is witnessing an unprecedented political shift under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), with sweeping legal actions taken against high-profile figures, including former ministers and members of parliament. These developments mark an effort to address long-standing allegations of corruption and financial misconduct that have plagued the nation’s leadership for decades.
Among the most notable cases is that of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested for allegedly using an Indian credit line to procure substandard medicines. His son, Ramith, has also been detained on corruption-related charges. Namal Rajapaksa, another prominent political figure, is currently out on bail for the alleged misappropriation of LKR 70 million in funds from the Krrish Hotel project. Investigations also involve his 2010 law exam qualifications and a 2013 SriLankan Airlines-Airbus deal.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Namal’s brother and a former naval officer, is facing multiple cases of money laundering. Arrested in January 2025 in connection with a land deal valued at LKR 34 million, he has been granted bail but is barred from international travel. Additional charges involve a luxury property in Dehiwala and questionable investments in the Carlton Sports Network. Yoshitha’s past includes a 2016 arrest during the Sirisena administration over another money laundering case.
These legal developments highlight AKD’s apparent resolve to confront political corruption, a stance that may test both his administration and the enduring influence of the Rajapaksa family.
According to a report from Ceylon Today citing CIABOC sources, four former cabinet ministers and two state ministers may soon be indicted in the Colombo High Court on bribery charges stemming from investigations launched post-2015.
Supporters of AKD were encouraged by the recent convictions of Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando. The two were sentenced to 20 and 25 years respectively for misappropriating over Rs. 53 million meant for importing carrom and draught boards to be distributed among sports clubs.
In another significant case, CIABOC filed charges against former Minister Chandrani Bandara for abuse of power. Accusations include improper appointments during her tenure in the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Dry Zone Development.
Meanwhile, former Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake remains in custody following the discovery of a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle in his Colombo residence. His court appearance is scheduled for early June.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva also faces corruption charges for allegedly accumulating wealth vastly exceeding his declared income during his ministerial tenure from 2010 to 2012.
AKD is attempting to dismantle a culture of impunity that has historically allowed a cozy relationship between politics and crime. While Sri Lanka’s Bribery Act dates back to 1954, enforcement has been weak. The 2015 Presidential Task Force on Corruption collapsed due to political apathy, and the FCID lost effectiveness due to interference.
On April 9, 2025, AKD launched the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) 2025-2029 in coordination with CIABOC. This comprehensive framework builds on the successes of the 2019-2023 roadmap and aligns with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023. The NACAP outlines four strategic goals: prevention, institutional capacity building, legal reinforcement, and early ethical education. Public servants have been given until May 2025 to comply with its provisions under a zero-tolerance policy.
Another moment of reckoning for AKD came with his participation in the 16th National War Heroes Day on May 19. Typically presided over by the President, the event commemorates the end of the Eelam war. AKD’s attendance was last-minute, reportedly because his name was omitted from the invitation. His address focused not on triumph but on remembrance and the human cost of war. He emphasized that the tragedy affected both the North and South, urging a collective commitment to peace and national healing.
Civil activist Jehan Perera praised AKD’s use of the term “soldiers” over “war heroes” as a move toward national unity. This rhetorical shift was seen as an attempt to move away from polarizing narratives and toward an inclusive national identity.
However, AKD also faces democratic pressures. In the recent local government elections, the NPP’s vote share dropped from 62% in the parliamentary elections to 43%. This decline suggests a gap between national popularity and grassroots support, possibly due to disengagement among younger voters.
Despite this, the NPP won 265 local councils, comprising 23 municipal, 25 urban, and 217 Pradeshiya sabhas. The opposition SJB secured 14 councils, while independents and smaller parties prevailed in 23. Notably, NPP topped the polls in 120 councils where opposition support was numerically higher. In the North, the ITAK won 37 councils, underlining the continuing role of ethnic politics.
These developments suggest that while AKD is making bold strides on national reform and anti-corruption, his administration must work harder to establish credibility and support at the grassroots level. The coming months will test both his reform agenda and political resilience in a nation long dominated by entrenched political interests.
SOURCE :- SRI LANKA GUARDIAN
