Former Foreign Minister and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry has dismissed the allegations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe as political vendetta, claiming that there is no misuse of public funds when a sitting president travels under official security and protocol.
Sabry noted that every president, including the incumbent, is entitled to police and security protection regardless of whether the travel is for official duties or personal reasons.
“A sitting president doesn’t have a public and private life when it comes to his security, health, and protocol when he travels. That is true for the incumbent President as well. When he campaigned for the NPP during the General Elections and Local Government elections, how did he travel? Wasn’t he protected by the police and security forces? He should be, because he is our president, whether he is my favorite or not,” he argued.
He pointed out that Wickremesinghe had not claimed vehicle permits, had returned to his private residence instead of using state housing, and had even willed his house to his alma mater.
“A person who had not claimed a single vehicle permit, who had gone back to his own house when he could have claimed housing, and who has willed his residence to his alma mater—do you think such a person would misuse Rs. 16.6 million? Most, if not all, of that amount was spent on transportation, accommodation, and allowances for his essential staff during a transit from the UN General Assembly. Oh come on, get a better case to charge him,” he said.
“Let’s assume he is not entitled—then ask him to reimburse the amount spent. Sometimes these things happen when there is a borderline or uncertainty. This is pure political vendetta and revenge just to keep up with an election promise. I, as a lawyer, will never say someone is above the law. But when you decide to prosecute someone who turned around the country from bankruptcy in just two years, at least find a better case to fabricate,” he added.
Sabry further highlighted Wickremesinghe’s visit to Japan for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral, which led to high-level talks and paved the way for Japan’s support in debt restructuring and a US $84 million emergency grant to Sri Lanka in December 2024.
“This is pure political vendetta. We must get out of this vicious cycle of manufacturing cases and allow institutions to prosecute independently when an offense is actually disclosed,” Sabry said. (Newswire)
