Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested Friday on corruption charges following an investigation into his travel to the United Kingdom in September 2023, Police officials confirmed, revealing what they said was limited information in an ongoing investigation.
Deputy Inspector General Kalinga Jayasinghe said investigators found that Wickremesinghe’s two-day trip to London, on Sept. 22 and 23, 2023, was initially recorded as a private visit despite being financed with state funds.
The delegation included Wickremesinghe, his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, his private secretary Sandra Perera, two foreign ministry officials, Wickremesinghe’s personal doctor and four members of the Presidential Security Division.
The president’s office and the foreign ministry corresponded with the Sri Lankan High Commission in London to facilitate the visit, Police said. Although there are records of the official engagements in Cuba and the United States, the U.K program itinerary listed no official engagements.
According to police, Sri Lanka’s High Commission in the U.K billed Sri Lanka £14,445 (about Rs. 16,207,573) for travel, accommodation, vehicle rental and other expenses for Wickremesinghe, the first lady and the private secretary. DIG Jayasinghe noted that this figure did not include airfare, as it was a trip made while the former president was on official state business.
An additional 3.2 million rupees was spent on the doctor and security officers, according to records from the president’s office.
The investigation was launched on May 23, 2025, after the presidential secretary requested the Inspector General of Police to probe the matter, following an internal inquiry, Police said. (Islandnews)
