Rajapaksa Dynasty's Fall: Shasheendra's Arrest Shakes Sri Lanka

Shasheendra Rajapaksa of the influential Rajapaksa dynasty has been arrested in Sri Lanka on corruption charges. Accused of misappropriating state land, he faces allegations of illegal construction and misuse of political authority. His arrest marks a significant move in the ruling NPP's crackdown on corruption.

In a landmark development within Sri Lanka's political landscape, Shasheendra Rajapaksa, a member of the powerful Rajapaksa family, was arrested on Wednesday. This arrest is part of the National People's Power (NPP) government's aggressive campaign against corruption, targeting some of the most influential figures in the country's politics.

Shasheendra stands accused of illegally misappropriating state-owned land in the island's southeastern region. It is alleged that he engaged in unauthorized construction on the land and utilized his political influence to compensate for the damages caused by an arson attack during the public protests in May 2022, despite bureaucratic hesitation due to unresolved ownership issues.

Having served as a state minister until September last year, Shasheendra's arrest marks the first significant takedown of the Rajapaksa dynasty by the anti-graft commission under the current administration. The move symbolizes the NPP's determination to deliver on its promise of cleaning up Sri Lanka's political arena.

(With inputs from agencies.)