A dramatic probe into former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s costly London visit has taken a surprising twist, as CID officers reportedly questioned diplomats for hours yet avoided the very university at the center of the investigation.
Sri Lanka Police has launched a detailed investigation into the Rs. 16.6 million spent by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to England in 2023. The inquiry began after the University of Wolverhampton allegedly extended an invitation for the trip, prompting questions about its authenticity and whether it was used to justify significant public expenditure.
CID officers travelled from Colombo to London and summoned former High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena to the Sri Lankan High Commission on November 17, where she was interrogated for more than seven hours. Sirisena was serving as the High Commissioner when Wickremesinghe visited the university in September 2023. Although removed from her post in November that year, she continues to reside in London for personal reasons.
According to diplomatic sources, the CID questioned her about who issued the invitation, whether it was officially validated, if proper diplomatic channels were followed, and whether the High Commission verified the legitimacy of the event. They also asked whether the trip was a private visit framed as an official one and what services were provided to the former President during his stay from arrival to departure.
CID officers also questioned then Deputy High Commissioner Manori Mallikarachchi, who still serves in that role, along with other officials involved in organising the visit. Two former High Commission officers who remained in the UK after completing their service terms, Aruna Fernando and Krishantha Subasinghe, were also summoned and have given statements.
Despite the alleged purpose of the investigation, reliable sources state that the CID officers who travelled all the way to London did not plan to visit the University of Wolverhampton itself to examine the nature of the invitation or gather direct evidence.
The growing controversy has intensified public scrutiny over government spending, diplomatic accountability and the transparency of official overseas visits.
