Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Arrested Over Alleged Misuse of State Funds

Former President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been arrested and brought before a court over allegations of misusing public funds during his tenure, police confirmed on Friday.

The 76-year-old, who led the country through the economic crisis spanning 2019 to 2024, is reportedly under investigation for expenses related to a trip to London, where he attended his wife’s graduation ceremony.

“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and produced in court. We are now awaiting the court’s directive to determine the next course of action,” a police spokesperson stated.

The arrest comes amid a broad anti-corruption campaign led by Sri Lanka’s current president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office in September with a strong mandate to root out corruption.

However, Wickremesinghe’s allies have condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated. Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, a senior member of Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP), defended the former president’s record.

“Ranil Wickremesinghe has never misused public or state funds,” Warnasinghe said, addressing reporters outside the court in Colombo. “He was the one who stepped forward to lead the country when the economy collapsed. And now, this is how the government chooses to treat him.”

The case has sparked political tension, with supporters claiming the charges are part of a broader effort to discredit opposition figures ahead of future elections.