The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (April 29) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to submit a progress report on an ongoing investigation into a complaint filed over alleged misuse of state funds involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake.
The case stems from allegations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the misuse of approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London during an official visit in late 2023. The trip was part of a broader state visit to the United States and the United Kingdom and was reportedly undertaken with a government-funded delegation.
The court issued the directive during proceedings into the matter, instructing the CID to present the relevant progress report on July 08.
Appearing on behalf of the prosecution, additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris informed the court that indictments against the suspects would be filed before the next hearing date.
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He also added that it is also being considered whether to name former first lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe as a suspect in the case.
Further proceedings are expected after the submission of the investigative progress report to court.
Wickremesinghe was arrested by the CID on August 22, 2025, and remanded until August 26, becoming the first Sri Lankan head of state to be placed in remand custody. He was later released on three personal bail bonds of Rs. 5 million each, following the submission of medical reports.