A politically explosive corruption case resurfaces today as investigators move closer to indicting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over alleged misuse of massive public funds during an overseas trip.
The case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, alleging the misappropriation of more than Rs. 16.6 million in state funds, is scheduled to be taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today, January 28.
The Criminal Investigation Department has presented evidence to court alleging that Wickremesinghe misused public funds amounting to over Rs. 16.6 million within a span of 36 hours while attending his wife’s graduation ceremony in Britain in 2023, which investigators maintain was a private visit rather than an official engagement.
The case will be taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Netthikumara today, where the CID is expected to update the court on the progress of investigations conducted so far. The proceedings are being closely watched due to their political and legal significance.
Former President Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on August 22, 2025, in connection with this incident and was produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court on the same day. He was subsequently remanded until August 26. While in remand custody, his health reportedly deteriorated, leading to his admission to the Colombo National Hospital.
Following the submission of medical reports by a special medical committee attached to the National Hospital, which stated that Wickremesinghe was receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, the then Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura granted him bail on August 26.
As part of the investigation, a special CID police team was dispatched to Britain, where statements were recorded from Saroja Sirisena, the former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, along with several other individuals connected to the visit. The CID is expected to place the contents of these statements before court today.
Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing on behalf of the CID, informed court yesterday that steps will be taken to indict Ranil Wickremesinghe before the High Court on charges of misappropriation of state funds.
Against this backdrop, today’s court proceedings are expected to mark a decisive moment in one of the most high-profile corruption cases involving a former Sri Lankan head of state.
