By The Pulseline News Desk
The case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) over the alleged misuse of public funds has been postponed until December 9 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The case was taken up today (11), with proceedings continuing over allegations linked to Wickremesinghe’s visit to the United Kingdom in 2023 to attend a graduation ceremony involving his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe.
The investigation centres on allegations that more than Rs. 16.6 million in public funds had been improperly utilised in connection with the visit.
Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake has also been named as a suspect in the case, which was instituted under the Offences Against Public Property Act.
Attorney General’s advice remains a key factor
The latest postponement comes amid continuing attention on the Attorney General’s Department, which is expected to determine the appropriate legal course of action following the completion of the CID investigation.
The CID had previously informed the court that its investigations into the allegations had been concluded and that the relevant investigation files and documents had been forwarded to the Attorney General for consideration.
The court had earlier scheduled November 11 as the date to receive an update on the Attorney General’s position regarding the matter.
The next hearing, now fixed for December 9, is expected to provide a further opportunity for the court to consider the progress of the legal process.
How the investigation began
The controversy concerns Wickremesinghe’s participation in his wife’s graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom in 2023, during a period when he was serving as President.
Investigators examined the use of state resources in connection with the overseas visit, raising questions about whether public funds had been utilised for purposes that were not sufficiently connected to official presidential duties.
Wickremesinghe was arrested by the CID on August 22, 2025, after appearing before investigators to provide a statement regarding the allegations.
His arrest marked a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s political history, as he became the first former President of the country to be taken into custody in connection with a criminal investigation.
He was initially remanded until August 26, 2025, before being released on bail following the submission of medical reports to court.
A case with wider political and public significance
The proceedings have attracted considerable public attention, particularly as they concern allegations involving the use of public funds by a former head of state.
The case also unfolds against the backdrop of the government’s broader anti-corruption agenda and growing public demands for accountability in the management of state resources.
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