Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was remanded until August 26, has been transferred to the Prison Hospital following medical advice.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday (22) ordered Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission and produced before court, to be remanded in connection with allegations that he caused a loss of Rs. 16.9 million to the government by travelling to London for his wife Professor Maithri Wickremesinghe’s graduation ceremony, treated as a private visit during his presidency.
The former President was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department the previous morning and was arrested after providing statements for over four hours. He was then produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in the afternoon and remanded.
It took 7 hours for the hearing
The presentation of facts concluded around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, but the ruling was delayed until 6:00 p.m. and eventually delivered at approximately 9:45 p.m. due to a power outage at the court. A large number of MPs, including Namal Rajapaksa, along with Wickremesinghe’s supporters, were present at the courthouse, where security was tightened.
The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Attorney General, informed the court that Wickremesinghe had travelled to London on September 22–23, 2023, spending Rs. 16.9 million of government funds on what was essentially a private trip. He noted that the Bribery Commission launched its investigation based on a complaint filed by V.S. Karunaratne of Kurunegala, which was later referred to the IGP. Statements were recorded from over 33 witnesses, including former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Personal Secretary Sandra Perera.
Costly London Tour
The ASG stated that Wickremesinghe had been on an official visit to Cuba and the United States from September 13–20, 2023, accompanied by 10 officials. However, instead of returning, he proceeded to London for his wife’s honorary degree ceremony at Wolverhampton University, with the government incurring expenses of Rs. 16.6 million for just two days.
According to Peiris, the original documents described the visit as private, but later records were altered to present it as official. He also detailed the expenses: Rs. 4.5 million on vehicles, Rs. 300,000 on food and drinks, Rs. 3.4 million on accommodation, £600 on guest expenses, and Rs. 4.6 million on additional vehicles. Of the total, Rs. 13.2 million was funded by the Presidential Secretariat, while Rs. 3.2 million was covered by the Police and Navy.
He further revealed that Wickremesinghe stayed at the Landmark Hotel in London instead of accommodation closer to the university. He stressed that Sandra Perera, Wickremesinghe’s personal secretary, had confirmed the trip was not official. Peiris also sought a travel ban on former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who had approved the funds.
Opposing bail, the ASG argued that since the charges fall under the Public Property Act, special circumstances were required for bail.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne counters
Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing for Wickremesinghe, argued that the case was politically motivated, based on an internal audit of the Presidential Secretariat, while the National Audit Office report revealed no irregularities. He said the invitation for the graduation came officially through the British Embassy and the Foreign Ministry, making it part of an official itinerary.
Premaratne also highlighted Wickremesinghe’s health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, as well as his wife’s ongoing battle with cancer. He stressed that prison was unsafe for a former president and sought bail on suitable conditions.
The magistrate inquired about the audit report presented, and the ASG clarified that it was a general annual audit rather than one specific to the London trip.
After considering the facts, the magistrate ordered Wickremesinghe to be remanded until August 26.
