The case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake for alleged misappropriation of state funds was taken up yesterday (11) before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court. Due to continued delays in receiving the Attorney General's advice, Acting Unofficial Magistrate Kingsley Hettiarachchi ordered the case to be adjourned until December 9.

When the case was called, both the former President and the former Secretary to the President, who have been named as accused, appeared in open court. The current Attorney General is Parinda Ranasinghe (Junior), who was appointed during Ranil Wickremesinghe's presidency on July 12, 2024.

Key points

  • Case postponed without AG's advice on three occasions since July 8
  • Court ordered the case adjourned until December 9
  • Former President and former Secretary to the President appeared in open court
  • Allegations concern spending exceeding Rs. 16.6 million

Background to the case

This case is based on an incident alleged to have taken place in September 2023. The complaint was filed under the Offences Against Public Property Act, alleging that over Rs. 16.6 million (Rs. 166 lakhs) in state funds had been spent on a private visit to attend an honorary doctorate conferment ceremony for the former President's wife, Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, at the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, causing a financial loss to the state.

Delay in AG's advice

The State Counsel appearing for the CID informed the court that the relevant investigation files are currently under review by the Attorney General. Accordingly, she requested another date to communicate the Attorney General's instructions.

The CID first informed the court on July 8 that its investigations were complete and the files had been forwarded to the Attorney General, after which the case was postponed to September 30. As instructions were not received by that date either, it was put off until yesterday, marking the third time the case has been postponed due to the absence of the Attorney General's advice.

What happens next?

The case will be called again on December 9 to decide on the next legal steps regarding the allegations of state fund misappropriation against the former President and his former Secretary.