Saturday August 23, 2025
By The NewsDESK |
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who led the country during a devastating economic crisis, was arrested and remanded in custody on Friday over allegations he misused state funds while in office, police said.
Wickremesinghe, 76, who lost power in a 2024 election, had been investigated over a visit he made to Britain to attend a special graduation lunch as part of the celebrations of his wife’s honorary professorship at a university there, local media reported.
Police confirmed his arrest for alleged misuse of public funds, a police spokesman said.
“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and produced in court. He will be in remand custody till August 26,” police spokesman F.U. Wootler told Reuters.
Wickremesinghe’s office did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
An ally from his United National Party (UNP) proclaimed his innocence and suggested the case was politically motivated.
“Ranil Wickremesinghe has never misused public funds or state funds,” UNP member Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe told reporters gathered outside the court complex where the former president appeared in Colombo.
“He was the person who stepped up and accepted the challenge to save this country when the economy collapsed,” Warnasinghe said. “That is the person who is being treated like this today by this government.”
According to Reuters, Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
