The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake to be taken up again on November 11 to obtain the Attorney General’s advice. Both Wickremesinghe and Ekanayake appeared in person before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, who issued the direction following an assessment of the investigation’s current progress.
The legal action, initiated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), centers on allegations concerning the misuse of approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds. The charges pertain to Wickremesinghe attending his wife’s graduation ceremony in London during an official multi-nation tour in late 2023. The London stop formed part of an official visit to the United States and the United Kingdom that was conducted alongside a government-funded delegation.
Key Developments
- Case Postponement: Magistrate Pasan Amarasena deferred proceedings until November 11 to allow time for the Attorney General’s legal advice to be submitted.
- Misuse Allegations: The inquiry focuses on roughly Rs. 16.9 million in state finances used during a late 2023 tour of the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Historic Detention: Following his arrest by the CID on August 22, 2025, Wickremesinghe was remanded until August 26, marking the first time a former Sri Lankan head of state has been placed in remand custody.
- Bail Details: Wickremesinghe was granted release on three personal bail bonds of Rs. 5 million each after medical reports were tendered to the court.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court will resume consideration of the CID’s filings against both former officials once the formal directions from the Attorney General are received at the next scheduled hearing.