On Friday, former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested due to allegations of “misusing government funds,” according to a senior police detective speaking to AFP.
Wickremesinghe was detained following inquiries into his September 2023 trip to London, where he attended a university event for his wife while serving as head of state, the officer reported.
“We are presenting him before the Colombo Fort magistrate,” the officer noted, highlighting charges related to the use of state resources for personal activities.
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In 2023, Wickremesinghe stopped in London on his return from a G77 summit in Havana.
He and his wife, Maithree, participated in a ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton.
Wickremesinghe insisted that his wife’s travel costs were personally covered and no state funds were involved.
Nevertheless, the Criminal Investigation Department accused Wickremesinghe of using government funds for his private trip and covering his bodyguards’ expenses with state money.
Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency in July 2022, completing Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term after Rajapaksa resigned amid protests over alleged corruption and poor governance.
Wickremesinghe is credited with stabilizing the economy following the country’s severe financial crisis in 2022.
He was unsuccessful in his re-election attempt in September.
