Sri Lankan authorities detained Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former president and prominent opposition figure, on Friday for allegedly misusing public funds during his presidency. Wickremesinghe, who held office from 2022 to 2024, faces accusations of utilizing public finances to attend his wife’s graduation in London following an official trip to the U.S, according to police spokesperson Fedrick Wootler.
Following his arrest by the Financial Crimes Investigations Department, Wickremesinghe was promptly brought before a court. He becomes the initial ex-Sri Lankan head of state to be apprehended and is the most notable figure under scrutiny for corruption during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, which vowed to hold accountable those implicated in corruption from prior regimes.
Dissanayake assumed the presidency in September last year after a wave of public support rejected the previous government accused of steering the nation towards an economic crisis. Subsequently, his party secured a significant victory in the parliamentary elections, granting him a robust government.
A slew of former government officials and political leaders from the previous administration have already been arrested and are currently under investigation for alleged misconduct and corruption. Wickremesinghe ascended to the presidency amidst economic turmoil that precipitated the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022.
While Wickremesinghe is recognized for stabilizing the faltering economy with reduced inflation, strengthened local currency, and increased foreign reserves during his tenure, his implementation of severe austerity measures, such as tax hikes and increased utility fees as part of an IMF bailout agreement, drew substantial criticism.