Further significant details have emerged in the investigation into allegations that Rs. 16.6 million in public funds was spent on a private trip to the United Kingdom by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe while he was in office.
A key issue emerging from the investigation is the claim that Wickremesinghe’s visit was not an official visit made at the invitation of the British Government or under a diplomatic or state invitation.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has published a list of heads of state who undertook official visits to the United Kingdom during the relevant period. According to the published information, there is no reference to Ranil Wickremesinghe having visited the UK as a head of state on a diplomatic or official invitation during that period.
Wickremesinghe visited the United Kingdom on September 22 and 23, 2023, while serving as President.
Following investigations that reportedly found that Rs. 16.6 million in public funds had been spent on the trip, legal proceedings were initiated against Wickremesinghe and his then secretary, Saman Ekanayake.
Wickremesinghe’s side has reportedly sought to establish that the trip was an official visit rather than a private one.
Social and political activist Oshala Herath handed over all relevant information to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (17).
Wickremesinghe and Ekanayake are currently out on bail in connection with allegations that Rs. 16.6 million in public funds was spent on a private overseas trip.
When the case was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on April 29, the Magistrate stated that sufficient evidence was available and ordered that indictments be filed promptly, noting that delays in criminal investigations could diminish their value.
When the case was taken up again on July 8, the CID informed the court that investigations had been completed and the relevant extracts had been forwarded to the Attorney General.
Senior State Counsel Samadari Piyasena requested a date to inform the court of the Attorney General’s position.
The Fort Magistrate subsequently fixed September 30 for the next hearing and ordered that the Attorney General’s position be communicated to the court on that date.
