Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's close aide and key opposition MP was arrested today for alleged financial wrongdoings and money laundering.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a member of parliament who was the sports minister during former strongman Rajapaksa's government, was arrested by Sri Lankan police's Crime Investigation Department.
Aluthgamage, who has been remanded till September 22, was charged under money laundering laws for possessing a prime property in Colombo worth 27 million rupees (USD 1.85 lakh) for which he could not show means of income.
He is a key member of the joint opposition led by Rajapaksa, whose nearly a decade-long rule was ended in January 2015 after being defeated by Maithripala Sirisena.
Most of the loyalists and family members of Rajapaksa have faced corruption charges. Some of them include Rajapaksa's sons who have been arrested and given bail pending cases after being remanded in custody.
In a similar case, the brother of another Rajapaksa loyalist MP was arrested and sent to remand yesterday.
Chanuka Ratwatte, whose brother Lohan is a Rajapaksa loyalist MP and three others were arrested on allegations of abusing public funds.
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