Former president of Sri Lanka detained on charges of abuse of state funds

Former president of Sri Lanka Ranil WickreseSinghe was detained on Friday by the Department of Criminal Investigations (CID) on charges of abuse of state funds – the AFP agency informed. This is the first case in the history of the country when the former head of the state was detained.

WickReseSinghe, a 76-year-old lawyer, who was the prime minister five times until 2022, and then the president by 2024, was arrested after arriving at the headquarters of CID in the capital of the country, Kolombo to testify on his trip to London for the ceremony of graduating from his wife's studies. According to local media reports, CID claims that WickRemsinghe used government funds for a private visit, and also paid for state protection.

WickReseSinghe himself contradicts the allegations, claiming that his wife was covered by his wife. A spokesman for the Lankan police did not officially confirm the arrest, and the former president's office did not comment. WickReseSinghe was still in court on Friday.

WickReseSinghe took over the president of the president three years ago during a deep financial crisis, replacing his predecessor who escaped from the country. His government introduced severe savings that caused social dissatisfaction.

As agencies point out, WickReseSinghe is the first former president of this island state located in South Asia, which was detained.

Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

KRP/ Kar/