The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained statements from 50 individuals so far in its probe into the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in state funds by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, reportedly spent to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony at a UK university.
A CID team currently in the UK recorded statements from four staff members of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London earlier this week. The team is expected to return to Sri Lanka tomorrow and will submit a comprehensive report upon their arrival.
Meanwhile, a team of lawyers representing former President Wickremesinghe met with Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe this week to inquire about the progress of the investigation. The legal team, consisting of President’s Counsels Roland Perera, Anuja Premaratne, and Eraj De Silva, met with the AG, who was joined by Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera.
According to sources, the AG informed Mr. Wickremesinghe’s lawyers that he would provide further clarity on the investigation once the CID team returns from the UK.
In related developments, ASG Peiris told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations into Mr. Wickremesinghe’s visit are now 90% complete. He assured the court that steps would be taken to expedite indictments against those involved once the probe concludes. The statement came as the court considered a motion filed by former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, seeking the lifting of a foreign travel ban imposed on him.
Mr. Ekanayake had requested the travel ban be lifted to visit his daughter, who is preparing for the birth of her child. His counsel, Kalinda Indatissa, PC, argued that the ban should be lifted as his client was not named a suspect in the case. ASG Peiris, representing the CID, opposed the motion, stating that Mr. Ekanayake remained an essential person in the investigation. The ASG added that the probe into the invitation letter allegedly received by Mr. Wickremesinghe from the UK university would soon be completed.
Mr. Indatissa indicated that the motion could be withdrawn if the investigation concluded quickly. Consequently, Fort Additional Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara did not issue a ruling and instructed the CID to file a progress report by January 28.
