(Lanka-e-News -20.Nov.2025, 9.10 PM) The Criminal Investigation Department’s long-running inquiry into former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reached its final phase and is now expected to proceed to the High Court, the Attorney General’s Department informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19).
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told Magistrate Neethi Kumara that investigators were nearing completion of their work and that the prosecution was preparing to file indictments before a higher court.
The case concerns allegations that, during his tenure as President, Wickremesinghe undertook a private visit to London to attend the graduation ceremony of his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, causing an estimated loss of more than Rs. 150 million to the state. The CID has named the former President as a suspect in relation to the alleged misuse of public funds.
Lawyers for Saman Ekanayake — the former Presidential Secretary and a key figure required for the investigation — requested that his travel ban be relaxed. The matter was taken up in court today, but President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa informed the bench that the request was being withdrawn.
Magistrate Neethi Kumara subsequently dismissed the application.
President’s Counsel Indatissa explained that the initial request had been made to allow Ekanayake to travel abroad for the birth of his daughter’s child. Deputy Solicitor General Peiris, appearing for the CID, strongly objected to lifting the travel restriction.
Providing further clarification to the court, DSG Peiris said:
“Your Honour, the investigation is now in its final stages. We expect to conclude within the next month. More than 50 statements have already been recorded. Once complete, we will move to file charges in the High Court.
The former Presidential Secretary seeking the lifting of his travel ban is the Chief Accounting Officer of all ministries. Only one matter remains — the examination of a letter that is alleged, according to the complaint, to be a forged document. We are proceeding strictly according to the court’s orders and will conduct a fair investigation.”
After reviewing submissions, the Magistrate observed:
“Today the case has been called for a specific purpose. On the next hearing date, the court expects an update on the progress of the investigation. In line with the request to withdraw the application, the court dismisses the motion.”
With the CID now entering the concluding phase of its inquiry and the Attorney General preparing indictments, Wickremesinghe — once one of Sri Lanka’s most influential political figures — appears increasingly likely to face charges in the High Court in the coming months.
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by (2025-11-20 15:31:54)
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