Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested on charges of misusing public funds

23-Aug-2025

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Ranil Wickremesinghe the former Sri Lankan President was arrested on August 22 in Sri Lanka on charges of misusing public funds for personal visit during an international tour in 2023. 

The Criminal Investigation Department summoned Mr. Wickremasinghe to be present to record a statement in the matter when he was arrested. The leader was later presented before the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court which is yet to decide on his bail application. 

The former President has sought bail citing health conditions including heart disease and cancer of his wife.

The Sril Lankan Police have filed three charges against the 76-year-old, including two counts under Sri Lanka’s Penal Code and one count under the Public Property Act. 

The allegations centre on a 2023 trip to London, where the former president attended the PhD graduation of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, at the University of Wolverhampton. 

About 50,000 dollars in state funds were spent on airfare, accommodation, and related costs, despite the visit having no official purpose, investigators claim.  

Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party insists no public funds were misused, releasing an invitation from the university addressed to the president and first lady. 

The former President’s detention marks the first arrest of a Sri Lankan head of state in recent years on corruption allegations and is being seen as a test of Colombo’s commitment to accountability amid widespread anger over misuse of public resources.