Colombo: Brother of former Sri Lankan president Mahina Rajapakse has been formally named in a corruption case involving the transfer of state weapons. A judicial commission said that Gotabhaya Rajapakse faced a hearing next week into allegations he received kickbacks while serving as defence secretary during his brother's time in power.
“He, along with four others, were named responsible for the transfer of weapons and other matters and a hearing will begin from next week,” secretary of the commission of four judges, Lacille de Silva said. Gotabhaya, widely regarded as the real power behind Rajapakse during his rule, could face criminal charges at the end of the hearing. He has denied the allegations against him. Rajapakse lost the January 8 election to Maithripala Sirisena partly on pledges by his former ally to clean up corruption and end cronyism in the Sri Lankan government.
Investigators are still trying to locate thousands of weapons they say disappeared from state inventories after being transferred to third parties. Sirisena's government has accused the former Rajapakse first family of stashing “billions” of dollars in foreign banks and abusing their power during his time in office. Another brother, Basil Rajapakse, is facing criminal prosecution over allegations he used state money for his political campaign.
