Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who was remanded in custody, is being held under special security at the Magazine Prison in Welikada, the Department of Prisons said.

Prisons Media Spokesman and Commissioner Senaka Palletenna said she has been placed in a secure area of the women’s section of the prison.

She was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of misappropriating Rs. 10 million obtained from a state bank.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (07) ordered that she be remanded in custody until October 13.

The Magistrate also ordered that the suspect be taken to a private hospital in Colombo to receive medical treatment, Ada Derana reporter said.

Rajapaksa was brought to the Magazine Prison in Welikada by a prison bus yesterday (07) following the court order.

Prisons Media Spokesman Commissioner Senaka Palletenna said arrangements would be made to provide her with the necessary medical treatment in accordance with the court order.  

Meanwhile, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered the release on bail of former Chairman of the National Savings Bank (NSB) Pradeep Kariyawasam, who is former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s husband, who was also arrested by CIABOC in connection with the same incident.

Kariyawasam was released on two surety bail bonds of Rs. 10 million each, and a travel ban has also been imposed on him.