Sri Lanka’s former President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was taken into custody on August 22, 2025, over accusations that he misappropriated public resources during an overseas visit made while in office. The arrest was made shortly after questioning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo.

Authorities allege that Wickremesinghe used state funds to facilitate a stop in London in September 2023, where he and his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, attended a university convocation. Officials maintain this portion of the trip was not of an official nature and therefore not eligible for government expenditure.

A senior CID officer confirmed to AFP: “We are producing him before the Colombo Fort magistrate,” adding that charges relate to “using state resources for personal purposes.”

Wickremesinghe’s Arrest Stirs Tension Over Crisis-Era Legacy

The arrest has sparked political tension, as Wickremesinghe had been widely credited for guiding Sri Lanka through its 2022 financial collapse after replacing Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President. He took over the role in July 2022, elected by Parliament after Rajapaksa fled the country amid mass public unrest.

The London stopover occurred during Wickremesinghe’s return journey from Havana, Cuba, where he had attended the G77 summit. While he insists that the visit to the UK was personal, he has defended his actions by claiming his wife paid her own expenses and that public money was not used on her behalf.

CID Alleges State Funds Covered Entire Trip, Questions Staff

Despite these claims, the CID contends that the entire trip, including accommodations and costs associated with the president’s security team, was covered by state funds. Before his arrest, several members of his staff had already been questioned about the nature of the visit and related expenditures.

Wickremesinghe, who served as Sri Lanka’s President until losing re-election in September 2024, is now facing judicial proceedings. The case will be heard in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.