FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 file photo, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa attends his final public rally for the presidential elections in Kesbewa, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Their friends have deserted them. Their houses have been raided. Their power, near-absolute on this island nation just a month ago, has melted away, replaced with talk that some in the family could face charges of corruption and perhaps even murder. And former President Rajapaksa and his family - the brothers, son, nephews and cousins who have dominated Sri Lanka for nearly a decade - are suddenly portraying themselves as victims. Rajapaksa lost the January 8 presidential election to his former ally Maithripala Sirisena. (AP Photo/Sanka Gayashan, File)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Their friends have deserted them. Their houses have been raided. Their power — near-absolute on this island nation just a month ago — has melted away, replaced with talk that some family members could face charges of corruption or murder.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family — brothers, nephews and cousins who have dominated Sri Lanka for nearly a decade — are suddenly portraying themselves as victims.
"My family is in politics since 1931 and for the first time they have raided my home," Rajapaksa told reporters after police entered his private home in the southern town of Hambantota just days after the Jan. 8 election upset, in which he lost to former ally Maithripala Sirisena.
"Is this good governance?" the former president demanded.
The police, who were looking for high-end sports cars and a private plane the family is believed to own, said they found nothing suspicious at the house. But authorities say the investigations have barely begun.
The new government, with help from the International Monetary Fund and Indian Central Bank, is trying to track down several billion dollars of foreign assets allegedly being held by top officials of the previous regime, Cabinet Minister Rajitha Senaratne said Thursday. So far, prosecutors have not filed formal charges against the family, but some people have filed police complaints against them.
Last edited:
