Yoshitha Rajapaksa banned from travel amid corruption probe

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been issued a travel ban following his recent arrest on money laundering charges. This development comes amid a renewed focus on corruption following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who has committed to combating endemic corruption. Yoshitha, 36, was unable to explain the sources of income for a property he purchased during his father's presidency, leading to his detention and subsequent release on a substantial bond. He has previously faced similar charges, including a separate case for money laundering related to a television network purchase. Dissanayake's administration aims to expedite the prosecution of pending cases against several members of the Rajapaksa family, which have lingered in the courts for years. The government's stance emphasizes a commitment to accountability rather than a political witch hunt, as stated by Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa.