In a historic first for Sri Lanka, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of misusing state funds during a private trip to London in 2023.
Wickremesinghe, 76, arrived at CID headquarters around 9 a.m. to provide a statement regarding the ongoing probe but was taken into custody shortly after the questioning concluded. He is expected to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court later today.
The investigation centers on Wickremesinghe’s stopover in London in September 2023, while returning from Havana after attending the G77 summit. During this visit, he and his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, attended a graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton.
Authorities allege that the former president improperly used public funds to cover travel expenses for what was considered a private visit. The CID has further claimed that state resources were used to pay for his security detail during the London trip.
Wickremesinghe, however, has consistently denied wrongdoing. He has maintained that his wife covered her own travel costs and that no government money was spent on personal matters.
The case first reached the courts on June 24, when the CID presented preliminary evidence before the Fort Magistrate’s Court. Subsequent statements were recorded from several senior officials, including Sandra Perera, Wickremesinghe’s former private secretary, and Saman Ekanayake, who served as presidential secretary at the time.
Today’s arrest marks an unprecedented moment in Sri Lankan politics, as no former head of state has ever before been taken into custody.
Wickremesinghe ascended to the presidency in July 2022, following the dramatic resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid nationwide protests over corruption and economic collapse. His tenure was defined by efforts to stabilize the crisis-hit economy, but he was defeated in the September 2024 election, ending his brief presidency.
Political analysts suggest that the arrest could have significant ramifications for Sri Lanka’s fragile political landscape. While some see it as a sign of growing accountability for those in power, others fear it may deepen political divisions at a time when the nation is still struggling with economic recovery.
As the Fort Magistrate’s Court prepares to hear the case, the country now waits to see how the legal proceedings against Wickremesinghe will unfold — a development that could reshape the public’s perception of accountability at the highest levels of government.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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