August 26, Colombo (LNW): Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former President of Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (26), in connection with an ongoing case concerning the alleged misuse of state funds during his tenure.
Wickremesinghe has been in remand custody since August 22, following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He is currently detained under a court order valid until August 26, pending further legal proceedings. Today’s hearing is expected to play a significant role in determining whether his remand will be extended or altered.
Since his detention, the former head of state was initially admitted to the Prison Hospital. However, medical personnel later recommended that he be transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo due to symptoms of dehydration. Hospital sources confirm that Wickremesinghe has been under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a precautionary measure.
The investigation centres on a visit made by Wickremesinghe to the United Kingdom in September 2023. The trip occurred as he returned from Havana, where he had attended the G77 summit. During the stopover in London, he accompanied his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, to a ceremonial event hosted by the University of Wolverhampton.
While the former president has maintained that the stop in the UK was a personal matter and that his wife covered her own expenses, authorities allege that public funds were used to facilitate the visit, including the cost of his travel and security. The CID has filed the case under the Public Property Act, citing potential misuse of government resources.
Wickremesinghe’s legal team is expected to challenge the basis for the remand during today’s court appearance, while prosecutors are likely to push for an extension as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in a latest development the Prison Spokesman said the former President, who is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital in Colombo, is unlikely to appear before court today.