Colombo Chief Magistrate Niluplli Lankapura has ordered former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to be remanded until August 26, over allegations of misusing more than Rs. 166 million allocated under a government expenditure head. The Magistrate also directed prison authorities to ensure adequate security for the suspect and provide necessary medical treatment during his detention.
Prisons Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe confirmed that Wickremesinghe was transferred to Magazine Prison following the court order. He noted that the former President would be referred to two medical specialists and kept under medical observation as required.
Why Bail Was Denied
Court proceedings revealed several grounds for refusing bail:
- Use of State Funds for a Private Trip
- In 2023, Wickremesinghe and his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, allegedly undertook a private visit to London, with all expenses— including those of the President’s private secretary—paid through the Presidential Secretariat budget.
- Documents showed that Rs. 133.7 million was spent by the Secretariat, and a further Rs. 32.7 million was incurred under Sri Lanka Police and Navy expenditure, totaling Rs. 166.4 million in state funds.
- The CID reported this as a clear misuse of public funds, as allocations under the Presidential expenditure head are strictly for state functions.
- Defense Argument
- Wickremesinghe’s legal team argued that as the country’s 8th Executive President, all overseas trips undertaken during his tenure were official, not private.
- They presented a September 1, 2023, letter claiming the London visit was on the invitation of the University of Wolverhampton.
3. Suspicion of a Fabricated Document
- The CID countered that the letter was never submitted during months of investigation or by any of the 38 witnesses questioned, including his long-serving private secretary.
- They claimed the document appeared to have been created later to weaken the case, raising suspicion of forgery.
4. Contradictory Evidence
- The Attorney General’s Department presented earlier communications from the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, dated August and September 2023, clearly identifying the trip as a private visit.
5. Legal Grounds
- The charges were filed under Section 5(1) of the Offences Against Public Property Act, read with sections 386, 388, and 398 of the Penal Code.
- As per the law, if misused public property exceeds Rs. 25,000, the accused must remain in remand custody unless “exceptional circumstances” are proven—none of which were established in this case.
6. Medical Grounds Rejected
- The defense submitted medical documents citing Wickremesinghe’s diabetes and heart condition, and also referred to his wife’s battle with cancer.
- However, the court ruled that these did not qualify as exceptional grounds for bail, as adequate medical care could be provided within the prison system.
Courtroom and Public Reactions
Following the ruling, tense scenes unfolded outside the Kotahena Magistrate’s Court as Wickremesinghe’s supporters and loyalists broke down in tears. Police Special Task Force and anti-riot units were deployed to maintain order.
Wickremesinghe was transported under heavy security in a prison bus to Magazine Prison.
Earlier in the day, he had reported to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the CID to provide a statement regarding the alleged misuse of funds. It was during this process that he was formally taken into custody.
Historic First
This marks the first time in Sri Lanka’s history that a sitting or former President has been arrested and remanded.
The case, which revolves around the alleged use of state funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in the UK, is being closely watched both locally and internationally, given its unprecedented nature
