Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers visited the Colombo residence of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday to record a statement from his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, Newswire reported.
Details of the nature of the inquiry or its connection to specific ongoing investigations were not disclosed. It is the first publicly reported instance in the current accountability cycle of CID officers going to a former President’s household to question a family member.
The visit follows a months-long effort by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the CID to record her statement. Prof. Wickremesinghe was first summoned before the FCID on February 18, in connection with a case alleging that her husband misused approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds to attend her graduation ceremony in London during an official visit in late 2023.
She failed to appear on February 20, and on February 24 a collective of academics, journalists, feminist activists and lawyers issued a statement expressing concern and solidarity over the summons.
Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake was earlier remanded over allegations of aiding the misuse of state funds by approving funding for the UK visit, and has since been released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The case against the former President is proceeding under the Public Property Act at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. No charges have been filed against Prof. Wickremesinghe.
