Yoshitha Rajapaksa ordered to return firearms as corruption probe intensifies

Sri Lanka’s Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Sampath Thuyacontha, has revealed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of accused war criminal and former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was in possession of a significant number of firearms issued for personal security purposes.

Speaking on the Ministry’s ongoing review of firearm allocation, Thuyacontha confirmed that five out of seven weapons issued to Yoshitha Rajapaksa have already been seized by police and returned to the government. He further stated that Rajapaksa currently holds two firearms and has been instructed to surrender one of them.

Providing further details on the firearm review process, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha explained:

“A survey conducted by us has found that some individuals have been issued more than one firearm by the government, and a decision has been taken to issue only one firearm to a person based on the intelligence report over the threat to his life.”

According to the Defence Secretary, a total of 1,697 licensed weapons have been issued to 1,550 individuals, yet only 1,368 of these firearms have been returned to the government. He further stated that 182 individuals have failed to return their government-issued weapons.

The Defence Ministry also dismissed claims of a security threat to Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that intelligence reports have confirmed there is no risk of a drone attack targeting the former president.

The revelations over Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s firearm possession come amid growing legal troubles for the Rajapaksa family.

Earlier this month, Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested by police on corruption charges related to the misappropriation of funds for a property purchase during his father’s presidency. The former Sri Lankan Navy officer was detained in his home territory of Beliatta over allegations of misconduct in the acquisition of a luxury property in Kataragama.

His uncle and former president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was also questioned in relation to the same property.

The arrest of Yoshitha Rajapaksa follows a Supreme Court petition filed by Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeking the reinstatement of his security detail, which was significantly reduced last month by the new government.

Since the formation of the new government under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in November, authorities have increased scrutiny on the Rajapaksa family and pledged to prosecute those accused of corruption and misconduct during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure (2005–2015).

Earlier this year, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, was also questioned by police over another corruption case involving property misappropriation, alongside a close associate of the former president.

The Rajapaksa family, long accused of corruption, financial mismanagement, and war crimes, continues to face mounting legal challenges as the new Sri Lankan administration signals a tougher stance on corruption.

 

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