COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on Friday for allegedly misusing government funds during his private visit to London in September 2023, according to a senior police official who spoke to AFP.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) questioned Wickremesinghe about expenses incurred during his stay in London, where he attended a ceremony held in honour of his wife Maithri at the University of Wolverhampton while serving as head of state.
Charges against Ranil Wickremesinghe
Investigators allege that Ranil Wickremesinghe used government resources to meet expenses, including those of his official security entourage, during a private visit.
The senior police official confirmed:
“We are producing him before the Colombo Fort Magistrate. Charges are being levelled against him of using government funds for private purposes.”
The CID says government funds were misused, but Wickremesinghe has vehemently denied the allegations and insisted that his wife had personally paid for her trip and that no government funds were used for her participation in the event.
Context of London trip
In September 2023, Wickremesinghe returned from Havana, where he attended the G77 summit, and stayed in London. During this trip, he attended a university function with his wife. This trip is now under investigation, with investigators questioning whether it was official or personal.
Wickremesinghe’s political journey
Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency in July 2022, taking over to complete Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term, after Rajapaksa resigned amid massive protests against corruption and economic mismanagement.
He is credited with stabilising Sri Lanka’s economy after the country’s worst financial crisis in 2022, when foreign exchange reserves dried up and the island faced severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines.
Despite his efforts to rebuild international confidence and push forward debt restructuring talks, Wickremesinghe lost his re-election bid in September 2024.
What Happens Next?
With his arrest, Wickremesinghe will now face legal proceedings in Colombo. The case will test not only his political legacy but also Sri Lanka’s commitment to accountability and transparency after years of economic turmoil and allegations of corruption in the leadership.