Yoshitha Rajapaksa is accused of tapping state funds for overseas training during his career as a naval officer
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 6:55pm, 17 Jun 2026The son of Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested on Wednesday on corruption charges, the anti-bribery 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 was 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 attended a prestigious course at Dartmouth, Britain’s naval college.
