Ranil Wickremesinghe, who led Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024, is facing charges for alleged misuse of state resources during personal travel, as police investigate his foreign trips undertaken while serving as president.
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Arrested for Alleged Fund Misuse
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Arrested for Alleged Fund Misuse
Wickremesinghe's arrest stems from allegations of misuse of state funds during foreign trips while in office.
Former President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been apprehended by authorities over allegations of improper use of state funds related to his international travel. The arrest, as detailed by police reports, is linked to trips he took abroad during his presidency, notably his 2023 stopover in the United Kingdom after attending a G77 summit in Cuba.
Wickremesinghe, a seasoned politician who has occupied several high-level roles, including six terms as prime minister since the 1990s, is set to appear in a magistrates court in Colombo on Friday. Earlier that day, he provided a statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the allegations.
The charges highlight a total of 23 foreign trips made by Wickremesinghe while he was president, which reportedly cost the nation over Rs 600 million (approximately $2 million). Following a historic economic crisis that led to widespread unrest and the resignation of his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe's leadership was recognized for stabilizing the economy.
However, the CID claims that a stopover in the UK for a private ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton represents an inappropriate use of governmental funds. Wickremesinghe has refuted these allegations, insisting that his travel expenses were legitimate. As this situation unfolds, further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
