When former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, named as a suspect, was presented before court, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris made submissions on behalf of the complainant.
He stated that, based on a complaint made on 17 March 2025 by an individual named V.S. Karunaratne to the President, an internal inquiry was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat. Following that inquiry, on 23 May 2025, the Presidential Secretary lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police regarding the incident.
The incident in question concerns alleged misuse of state funds during Wickremesinghe’s tenure as President. It is alleged that between 13–20 September 2023, while on official visits to Cuba and the United States, Wickremesinghe subsequently undertook a private trip on 22–23 September 2023 under the guise of an official visit.
Accordingly, after recording statements from 33 witnesses, the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was named a suspect and taken into custody, Mr. Peiris said. He then outlined the core facts of the case.
Details of the Trip
Mr. Peiris explained:
“Your Honour, former President Wickremesinghe travelled officially to Cuba and the United States from 13–20 September 2023. Thereafter, on the 22nd, he attended a convocation at the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, where he was conferred an honorary doctorate. This questionable visit was undertaken by a group of ten, including officers of the Presidential Secretariat and the Police.
The total cost incurred over two days was Rs. 16.6 million. Of this, Rs. 13.3 million was paid by the Presidential Secretariat, while the Police and Navy together bore more than Rs. 3.2 million.
The first document relating to this trip, dated 16 August 2023, clearly identifies it as a private visit. However, by 7 September, the same trip was reclassified as a normal visit. After the trip, documents indicated it was an official visit. A serious issue arises as to who altered these documents.
When questioned, Sandra Perera, then Private Secretary to the suspect, said she initially believed it was a private visit but was later told by the President that it was not. Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake stated that the President generally rested for a day in transit countries such as Dubai or Doha, and he approved London as such a stopover.
However, the invitation for this ceremony came from a private university. For the visit to qualify as ‘official,’ an invitation would have had to come from the British government. When asked, the suspect stated that there is no distinction between ‘official’ and ‘private’ visits, and that state funds could be used for any trip.”
Expenses Incurred
The Additional Solicitor General further explained:
“Your Honour, Wolverhampton University is about 206 km from London. Yet, the suspect stayed in a luxury suite at the Landmark Hotel in London, travelling nearly 400 km back and forth to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, two rooms had also been reserved just five minutes away from the university.
Expenditure included Rs. 4.5 million for vehicle rentals, Rs. 300,000 for food and beverages, Rs. 3.4 million for accommodation, and Rs. 2.7 million for miscellaneous purposes.
These expenses were incurred at a time when the country was experiencing a severe dollar shortage, and cases were pending before the Supreme Court regarding national bankruptcy. I myself, during that time, struggled even to secure USD 75 for an official trip to Bangladesh.
One police officer accompanying the President testified that Wickremesinghe never left the Landmark Hotel except to attend the convocation. It is therefore clear he did not meet any state leaders or participate in official engagements. This was entirely a private trip.
Your Honour, this is akin to a poor family saving money collectively in a pot, only for one member to secretly use it all for his own benefit.”
Opposition to Bail
The Additional Solicitor General added:
“The suspect has been charged under the Public Property Act. Investigations are still ongoing, and further arrests are expected, including that of former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake.
Since this case falls under the Public Property Act, bail cannot be granted lightly. I respectfully request that Your Honour consider only the evidence and facts presented, without regard to the suspect’s status, and deliver justice accordingly.”
