The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that a special investigation has been initiated into an alleged private overseas trip undertaken by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, reportedly funded by public money.
Details of the investigation were submitted to the court via a B-report. According to police findings, the former President traveled to the United Kingdom to attend his wife’s PhD graduation ceremony held at the University of Wolverhampton. The visit is said to have taken place on September 22 and 23, 2023.
The police stated that approximately Rs. 16.9 million in government funds were used for this trip, during which a group of ten individuals is reported to have accompanied the former President.
Further investigations have revealed that the trip to the UK occurred while Mr. Wickremesinghe was on an official tour of Cuba and the United States. He is believed to have traveled from the U.S. to the U.K. to participate in this private engagement.
Meanwhile, the CID has decided to record statements from two individuals, including a senior member of Wickremesinghe’s staff, in connection with the ongoing inquiry. However, both individuals are currently abroad. As such, the CID has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary steps to facilitate their return to Sri Lanka for questioning.
