Former Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested on allegations of state funds misuse

COLOMBO: Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Friday arrested on allegations of state funds’ misuse as reported by Newswire Lanka. Ranil Wickremesinghe had served as Sri Lanka’s President from 2022 to 2024.

Citing officials familiar with the matter, Newswire reported that the former Sri Lankan president was arrested after appearing before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo.

As per Newswire, his arrest is linked to allegations of using state funds to cover the expenses for a private visit to London, where he had attended a university graduation ceremony.

A large crowd gathered near the court premises, with additional security arrangements in place.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the CID over allegations of misusing state funds to travel to London for his wife’s graduation ceremony, has been produced… pic.twitter.com/GYI3xB5JiA

— Sri Lanka Tweet (@SriLankaTweet) August 22, 2025

It was further reported that the investigators claim the trip, which formed part of a wider overseas tour, was not an official engagement, but was financed with government money.

As per Newswire, earlier in August, former presidential secretary Saman Ekanayake and former private secretary Sandra Perera were questioned over their roles in arranging the visit.

As per reports, he is the most senior political figure to face arrest in recent years. The detention of Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to intensify scrutiny over the use of public funds by top officials. According to newswire, the court proceedings and formal charges are expected to follow.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister, assumed office as Sri Lanka’s interim president in July 2022 following Gottabaya Rajapaksa’s removal. He lost the Presidential elections to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of National People’s Power in September 2024. (ANI)