Former Sri Lankan president arrested over alleged misuse of public funds

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested after being summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement in an ongoing corruption investigation. The 76-year-old ex-leader faces allegations of misusing government funds by financing a private overseas trip with public money during his tenure as president.

This marks a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s recent history, as Wickremesinghe becomes the first head of state in years to be taken into custody on graft-related charges. The detention underscores the government’s renewed commitment to holding senior officials accountable amid growing public outrage over past abuses of state resources, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Investigators allege that Wickremesinghe diverted state funds to finance a personal trip to London in late 2023, disguising it as part of an official state visit. According to a police B-report submitted to a Colombo court, the former president traveled to the United Kingdom to attend his wife’s PhD graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton on September 22 and 23, 2023.

The London visit, which had no official government purpose, was appended to Wickremesinghe’s official state tour of Cuba and the United States. The former president reportedly flew from the US to Britain specifically for this private event.

A delegation accompanied Wickremesinghe during the London leg of the trip, and approximately Rs. 16.9 million—around $50,000—in Sri Lankan government funds were expended on airfare, accommodation, and related expenses.

Authorities contend that the entire London excursion was a personal detour funded by public money, constituting a potential misappropriation of state property and resources.

The specific allegation against Wickremesinghe centers on the criminal misuse of public funds. Official records indicate that no government meetings or bilateral engagements took place during his time in London. Instead, the trip’s primary purpose was to attend a family event—the graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, at a British university.

By charging the state for this personal visit, investigators argue that Wickremesinghe abused the privileges of his office for private benefit. Such an act could constitute a violation of Sri Lankan laws governing public finance and trust.

When formally charged, Wickremesinghe could face indictment under anti-corruption statutes or the Public Property Act for misappropriation of government funds.

By Vafa Guliyeva