Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested on Wednesday by the country’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption as part of an ongoing investigation into his recruitment to the Sri Lanka Navy and overseas military training.

The arrest came after Yoshitha appeared before the commission in response to a summons issued by investigators.

Arrest Follows Summons by Bribery Commission

Yoshitha Rajapaksa had initially been instructed to appear before the commission a day earlier. However, he informed authorities that he was unable to attend due to court proceedings in another matter.

Investigators subsequently directed him to appear on Wednesday, after which he was taken into custody.

The commission has not yet publicly detailed the specific charges, but the investigation centres on allegations of irregularities surrounding his entry into the Sri Lanka Navy and his subsequent training in the United Kingdom.

Questions Over Navy Recruitment

According to investigators, the controversy dates back to 2006 when then Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda reportedly wrote to Britain’s Royal Naval Academy seeking a place for Yoshitha Rajapaksa.

The academy later responded that admission could be arranged, although it would not be provided under a full scholarship and would require payment.

The Bribery Commission’s investigation has focused on whether Yoshitha met the academic requirements necessary to join the Navy as a cadet officer.

Alleged Changes to Recruitment Criteria

Investigators say standard Navy regulations required applicants for cadet officer positions to have completed Advanced Level studies in science or mathematics subjects.

However, the commission alleges that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had pursued his Advanced Level education in the arts stream and therefore did not initially meet the eligibility criteria.

According to the findings, recruitment requirements were later revised and new advertisements issued, allegedly enabling his appointment.

The investigation also claims that concerns regarding Ordinary Level qualifications emerged during the recruitment process and that these requirements were subsequently adjusted in a manner consistent with Yoshitha’s academic record.

UK Training Funded by Sri Lankan State

Following his recruitment, Yoshitha Rajapaksa travelled to the United Kingdom in January 2007 to undertake training at the British Royal Naval Academy.

Investigators allege that he remained there for more than 18 months, with the training costs covered by the Sri Lankan government.

The Bribery Commission is examining whether public resources were improperly used and whether recruitment procedures were altered to facilitate his appointment and overseas training.

Political Significance

The arrest marks the latest legal challenge involving members of the influential Rajapaksa family, which dominated Sri Lankan politics for nearly two decades.

The investigation is expected to draw significant public attention as authorities continue examining allegations of preferential treatment and misuse of state resources linked to the former ruling family.

(with inputs from Reuters)