Sri Lanka’s Ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe Arrested for Misusing State Funds on Wife’s London Trip

International News:The biggest development of the day has emerged from Sri Lanka, where former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday morning. The 76-year-old leader faces allegations of misusing public money for personal purposes during his tenure, specifically linked to a private visit to London.

Why Was Wickremesinghe Arrested?

According to CID officials, the case revolves around Wickremesinghe’s visit to London in September 2023, when his wife, Professor Maitree Wickremesinghe, attended a convocation ceremony. Authorities allege that government funds were improperly used for this trip, including the travel expenses of his security detail, even though the visit had no official purpose.

The former president had earlier traveled to Havana, Cuba, to participate in the G77 conference. On his way back, he made a stop in London to attend his wife’s convocation. Investigators argue that this detour was personal in nature, yet the costs were covered by the state treasury.

The Arrest and Legal Process

Wickremesinghe appeared before the CID office in Colombo on Friday morning to record his statement. Following several hours of questioning, officials decided to place him under arrest. Police sources confirmed that he will be produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court later in the day.

Earlier, CID teams had also questioned members of his staff and senior officials involved in the trip’s arrangements. Investigators claim that sufficient evidence was collected before initiating formal arrest proceedings.

Wickremesinghe’s Response

The former president has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated. He maintains that his wife personally funded her travel and accommodation and that no government resources were misused for private purposes. Wickremesinghe described the case as an attempt to tarnish his legacy, stressing that the facts have been distorted.

Political and Historical Context

Wickremesinghe took office as Sri Lanka’s president in July 2022, after his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, resigned amid mass protests over corruption and the island nation’s severe economic crisis. During his presidency, Wickremesinghe was credited with taking tough measures to stabilize the economy and secure international financial assistance.

However, his political career suffered a setback in September 2024, when he narrowly lost the presidential election to leftist leader A.K. Dissanayake. His arrest now marks a dramatic turn in Sri Lanka’s turbulent political landscape, raising questions about accountability, governance, and the use of state resources by those in power.