Allegations linked to 2023 UK trip as Colombo Court prepares to hear case
Colombo | August 22, 2025 — Sri Lanka’s former president Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on Friday on charges of misusing public funds, marking a dramatic turn in the island nation’s turbulent political saga. The 76-year-old leader, who assumed office in 2022 after mass protests ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is now facing legal proceedings that could reshape Sri Lanka’s fragile political equilibrium.
According to a senior officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Wickremesinghe was taken into custody following hours of questioning over a controversial trip to London in September 2023. The visit coincided with a convocation ceremony for his wife, Maithree, at the University of Wolverhampton. Police allege that while the trip was partly private, significant expenses — including travel and security arrangements — were covered by the state.
“We are producing him before the Colombo Fort Magistrate today,” the investigating officer told AFP. Charges are expected under provisions relating to the misuse of state property and public trust.
Wickremesinghe’s Defence
The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His office earlier maintained that his wife’s travel expenses were met privately and no government money was diverted for personal purposes. However, CID investigators allege that official resources — including his air travel, bodyguards, and logistical support — were billed to the state, despite the personal nature of the London stopover.
Wickremesinghe had attended the G77+China summit in Havana, Cuba, just before his London detour. The prosecution’s case hinges on whether the UK leg of the journey constituted an official visit or a personal extension disguised as official duty.
From Crisis Manager to Defendant
Wickremesinghe became president in July 2022, completing the remainder of Rajapaksa’s term after months of anti-government protests driven by economic collapse, fuel shortages, and allegations of corruption. Though widely credited with stabilizing the crippled Sri Lankan economy by securing an IMF bailout and bringing some fiscal discipline, his presidency was marred by accusations of elitism and closeness to the Rajapaksa political dynasty.
Observers note the irony: a leader once hailed as Sri Lanka’s “last stabilizer” now finds himself in police custody over financial impropriety.
Political Reverberations
The arrest comes at a delicate time for Sri Lanka, which is still recovering from its worst financial crisis in decades. Opposition parties have demanded a full accounting of presidential expenditures during Wickremesinghe’s tenure, framing the case as part of a broader fight against entrenched corruption in the island’s politics.
Internationally, the development could also affect Sri Lanka’s credibility with donor nations and institutions, which extended billions in rescue loans contingent upon fiscal accountability and governance reforms.
What Happens Next
The Colombo Fort Magistrate is expected to decide on bail conditions or remand later today. Legal experts suggest that if formally indicted, Wickremesinghe could face a lengthy trial under Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption framework. Conviction could bar him from holding political office, closing the chapter on a career that spanned nearly five decades.
For now, the former president remains under the custody of the CID — a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Sri Lankan politics.
