Police say the former leader is accused of misuse of public funds in relation to a trip to London.
Published On 22 Aug 2025
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and appeared in court over allegations he misused state funds while in office, police say.
Wickremesinghe, 76, who led the country during a devastating 2019-2024 economic crisis, had been investigated over a visit he made to London to attend his wife’s graduation, local media reported on Friday.
Police confirmed his arrest for alleged misuse of public funds.
“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and produced in court. We are awaiting the court directive to decide what further steps need to be taken,” a police spokesperson said.
Later on Friday, a court in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, ordered Wickremesinghe to be held in custody until August 26 when a fresh hearing will be held into the allegations.
Sri Lanka’s anticorruption units have led a crackdown since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September on a promise to fight corruption.
A Wickremesinghe ally from his United National Party (UNP) proclaimed his innocence and suggested the case was politically motivated.
“Ranil Wickremesinghe has never misused public funds or state funds,” UNP member Nishantha Sr