Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested today on charges of misusing public funds during an international tour in 2023. Mr. Wickremasinghe was summoned to present before the Criminal Investigation Department to record a statement in the matter when he was arrested. The leader was later presented before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court which is yet to decide on his bail application. Mr. Wickremesinghe has sought bail citing health conditions including heart disease and cancer of his wife.
Police have filed three charges against the 76-year-old, including two counts under Sri Lanka’s Penal Code and one count under the Public Property Act. The allegations centre on a 2023 trip to London, where the former president attended the PhD graduation of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, at the University of Wolverhampton. Investigators claim about 50,000 dollars in state funds were spent on airfare, accommodation, and related costs, despite the visit having no official purpose.
Mr. Wickrememsinghe’s United National Party insists no public funds were misused, releasing an invitation from the university addressed to the president and first lady. Wickremesinghe’s detention marks the first arrest of a Sri Lankan head of state in recent years on corruption allegations and is being seen as a test of Colombo’s commitment to accountability amid widespread anger over misuse of public resources.
