At the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (26), the Attorney General’s Department raised doubts about the authenticity of an invitation letter that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed to have received to attend the graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton, where his wife was conferred an honorary professorship.
Making submissions on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris stated that investigations conducted by the CID revealed that Mr. Wickremesinghe’s visit was a private trip, and the invitation letter he produced was not deemed a valid document. ASG Peiris further alleged that the former President had made contradictory statements regarding the matter.
Since Mr. Wickremesinghe faces charges under the Public Property Act and investigations are still ongoing, ASG Peiris requested the court to remand him until the conclusion of the trial.
The former President is accused of misusing over Rs. 16.6 million in state funds to finance a private trip to the UK to attend the graduation ceremony in September 2023.
Representing Mr. Wickremesinghe, Tilak Marapana, PC, expressed surprise at the questioning of the invitation letter’s authenticity, stating that it is unlikely for someone who has served six terms as Prime Minister and as President to produce a forged document.
Mr. Marapana emphasized that the Auditor General is the only authority authorized to audit government expenditures, and others are not qualified to do so. He added that if funds were used unlawfully, mechanisms exist to recover them. Highlighting that provisions to remand suspects aim to prevent flight risks, he asserted that Mr. Wickremesinghe, an active political figure, has faced greater challenges and has no intention of evading the courts. He also noted that a President’s visits are never personal and are always accompanied by relevant officials.
Meanwhile, Anuja Premaratne, PC, submitted a series of medical reports detailing the former President’s health condition, noting that he required close medical supervision and treatment. The reports revealed that three of his four heart arteries were blocked, making surgery unfeasible. Additionally, Mr. Wickremesinghe suffers from high blood pressure, kidney complications, and breathing difficulties during sleep.
Taking these factors into account, Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura granted Mr. Wickremesinghe bail on three personal bonds of Rs. 5 million each, totaling Rs. 15 million. The Magistrate also directed the CID to report the progress of the investigation to court on October 29.
