My life is at risk 'Calcium in coronary arteries' - said Shiranthi

Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission today (7), had earlier filed a bail application through her lawyers to avoid arrest at the airport on her return from abroad. In support of that anticipatory bail application, she submitted several medical reports on her health to the court.

Her affidavit contains detailed information on the cardiac tests, hospitalisations and treatment she has received over several years.

According to the affidavit, the first record of her heart condition dates back to 2019. A CT Coronary Angiogram carried out at Nawaloka Hospital on 7 September 2019 found plaque deposits and mild narrowing in all three main coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and the medical reports describe the condition as "Triple Vessel Disease." She also states that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are among the conditions she suffers from.

Mrs. Rajapaksa told the court that on 15 September this year she was again admitted to Nawaloka Hospital with nausea, severe fatigue, dizziness and physical discomfort, and was treated there under Professor Arjuna de Silva. The dizziness was diagnosed as vertigo, and she states that the medical reports also record high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. The affidavit adds that she was prescribed medications including Aspirin, Crestor and Nebivolol.



She further told the court that in later cardiac tests carried out in Singapore, her Total Coronary Calcium Score was recorded as 1022 on 21 September. This score measures the amount of calcium deposited in the heart's arteries, and doctors regard any score above 400 as high risk. The same tests also found calcified plaque in the carotid artery area of the neck. Cardiologist Dr. Dinesh Nair then prescribed her medication, and the affidavit states she was also given a Nitromint Spray to use immediately if she experiences chest pain.

In her affidavit, Mrs. Rajapaksa stressed to the court that she needs continuous specialist medical supervision and treatment, and that her life could be at risk without it. Her anticipatory bail application also states that she has cooperated with this investigation for about ten years and is prepared to abide by any conditions the court imposes.

Political enthusiasts have commented that her going on shopping trips alone in Singapore while facing such a serious risk is hard to accept. She is likely to be granted bail after being produced before the Magistrate's Court today, and the case will proceed. Footage of the Singapore shopping trips is published with this report.