University of Wolverhampton confirms to Sri Lankan CID that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was officially invited to the 2023 graduation ceremony, challenging allegations of a private visit funded by state money.
The University of Wolverhampton has informed Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department that it officially invited former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend its 2023 graduation ceremony, where his wife Maithree Wickramasinghe was conferred an honorary professorship.
The confirmation came in response to a CID inquiry made under an order from the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. The university’s vice chancellor also noted that the institution is government affiliated and receives state funding.
The CID is investigating allegations that Wickremesinghe misused over Rs. 16.6 million in state funds during what investigators claim was a private visit to the UK in 2023. The former president maintains he traveled for the official graduation ceremony.
Wickremesinghe is currently recovering in Singapore after undergoing cardiac surgery earlier this week. The procedure lasted several hours, and doctors have ordered strict bed rest with only immediate family permitted to visit. The CID case against him is scheduled to be heard again on April 27.
