Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe remanded

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, arrested today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was ordered to be remanded until August 26 on charges relating to the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in public funds for a private trip to the United Kingdom in September 2023.

Additional Solicitor General Deelipa Peeris told court that the trip, initially documented as private, was later altered to appear as an official visit, despite expenses being borne by the Presidential Secretariat, Police, and Navy. The visit followed official engagements in Cuba and the USA, after which Wickremesinghe attended his wife’s graduation in the UK.

Peeris detailed the expenditure, including Rs. 4.5 million for vehicle hire, Rs. 3 million for food, Rs. 3.4 million for accommodation, and £600 for guests. He said the former President’s own secretary confirmed it was a private visit and urged the court to deny bail under the Public Property Act, citing ongoing investigations and the gravity of the allegations.

Defence counsel Anuja Premaratne PC argued that the visit was official, backed by an invitation from the University of Wolverhampton via the Sri Lankan High Commission. He claimed the case was politically motivated, highlighted Wickremesinghe’s age, health issues, and his wife’s illness, and requested bail.

The court ordered Wickremesinghe to be remanded while the case continues.