Breaking news from Sri Lanka: Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested by the CID. The arrest took place on Friday morning. He faces accusations of using state funds for personal travel while in office. The case involves his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe’s graduation ceremony in London. According to reports, Wickremesinghe, 76, arrived at the CID office on Friday morning for a statement. However, he was detained following questioning. Police officials confirmed he will appear before the Colombo Fort Magistrate. The allegations center on a September 2023 London trip where Wickremesinghe allegedly misused government resources, including the expenses of his personal security detail, which were drawn from the state coffers. In September 2023, Wickremesinghe had been in Havana, Cuba, for the G77 summit. On the return, he made a stop in London to attend his wife’s graduation. The CID contends this travel was primarily personal, despite being funded by the state. Wickremesinghe refutes all claims, insisting his wife covered her own travel and accommodation costs, and that no public funds were misspent. He views the action as politically motivated, stating that the case is not supported by the facts. Earlier, police questioned Wickremesinghe’s staff and officials regarding the travel expenses. Investigative agencies maintain the arrest was based on the availability of substantial evidence. Wickremesinghe became president in July 2022, succeeding Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst widespread anti-corruption protests. He is recognized for his role in navigating the nation through significant economic challenges. He was defeated by the leftist A.K. Dissanayake in a closely contested election in September 2024.
Ranil Wickremesinghe Detained: Investigation into Alleged Misuse of Funds for Private Trip
