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Sri Lanka arrests former navy chief on corruption charges linking to Rajapaksa son recruitment

Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief on corruption chargesSri Lanka: Ex-Navy chief arrested over recruitment of Rajapaksa’s son

Sri Lankan authorities arrested former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda on July 3, 2026, in Colombo, alleging he illegally facilitated the recruitment and overseas training of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The arrest marks a significant anti-corruption move that could reshape the political landscape involving the influential Rajapaksa family's legacy in the country.

  • Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also the brother of current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, creating a powerful family dynasty in Sri L politics.
  • Wasantha Karannagoda served as the Navy Commander during the 2009 end of the Sri Lankan Civil War.
  • Yoshitha Rajapaksa is currently a Member of Parliament and a key figure in the Sri Lankan Freedom Party.
Sri Lanka arrests former navy chief on corruption charges linking to Rajapaksa son recruitment | Implica