October 29, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (October 29) postponed to January 28, 2026, the hearing of the case filed under the Public Property Act against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
When the case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara this afternoon, the court instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite ongoing investigations into the allegations against the former President. The Magistrate also directed the CID to produce before court any suspects connected to the case, if such individuals exist.
In addition, Magistrate Neththikumara ordered the CID to conduct an inquiry into whether incidents that occurred near the court premises on a previous hearing date amounted to contempt of court. The CID was further instructed to identify those responsible and report to court at the next hearing on the actions taken against them.
The case, taken up around 1:30 p.m. today, relates to allegations that former President Wickremesinghe misused state funds to travel to the United Kingdom in 2023, to attend a ceremony at a British university honoring his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, while serving as Head of State.
Wickremesinghe was arrested on August 22, 2025, after appearing before the CID to record a statement regarding the matter. He was subsequently produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and remanded until August 26.
Following the submission of medical reports by his legal team, Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura on August 26 ordered Wickremesinghe’s release on three surety bails of Rs. 5 million each and scheduled the case to be recalled on October 29, 2025.
Images – Ajith Senavirathne
