Ranil Wickremesinghe appears in court over alleged misuse of public funds

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on September 30 regarding the alleged misuse of more than Rs 16.6 million in public funds. The investigation, conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), concerns state expenditure related to Wickremesinghe’s September 2023 visit to the United Kingdom, which was reportedly intended for his wife’s graduation ceremony.

Investigators allege that public funds were improperly used for portions of the trip that were private in nature. Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake are the primary figures in the case. While the CID has informed the court that its investigation is complete and the material has been forwarded to the Attorney General, the court has scheduled the next hearing for November 11, 2026, to await the Attorney General’s formal advice on whether legal action will proceed.

This case follows a period of legal proceedings in which Wickremesinghe was previously arrested and later granted bail following the submission of medical reports.