Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested Friday after appearing before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo, officials familiar with the matter said.
The arrest is linked to allegations that Wickremesinghe used state funds to cover expenses for a private visit to London, where he attended a university graduation ceremony. Investigators claim the trip, which formed part of a wider overseas tour, was not an official engagement but was financed with government money.
Earlier this month, former presidential secretary Saman Ekanayake and former private secretary Sandra Perera were questioned over their roles in arranging the visit.
Wickremesinghe, who served as Sri Lanka’s president from 2022 to 2024, is the most senior political figure to face arrest in recent years. His detention is expected to intensify scrutiny over the use of public funds by top officials.
Court proceedings and formal charges are expected to follow. (Newswire)
