🚨 Rs. 16.9M Misused for Private London Trip: CID Arrests Ex-President Ranil 🇱🇰

Former President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe (76) was arrested on today by the CID over corruption allegations tied to misuse of state funds.

⭕ Investigators allege Rs. 16.9M (~$50,000) in govt money was used for a private London trip in Sept 2023.

⭕ The trip coincided with a graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton for his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe. This visit is said to have been personal, not official state business.

⭕ Wickremesinghe was officially visiting the United States and Cuba at the time (attending a G77 summit in Havana), and the initial plan was to return directly to Sri Lanka. The London stopover was later added as a detour.

⭕ Funds for the London visit, including airfare, hotels, and delegation expenses, were requested through the High Commission.

⭕ Earlier in 2025, Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed that a butler was hired for £1,000 per day during the trip, which was part of the controversial expenses claimed.

⭕ Ranil Wickremesinghe was accompanied by a delegation of 10 people during the visit.

⭕ According to CID No gov. meetings were held in London; costs covered airfare, hotels & delegation expenses. CID probe began June 2025; aides Saman Ekanayake & Sandra Perera already questioned.

⭕ Wickremesinghe is the first ex-head of state to face arrest for graft in SriLanka .🇱🇰

⭕ He was charged under Sections 386 and 388 of the Penal Code, which relate to criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public property, offenses that are non-bailable.

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