Ranil Wickremesinghe remanded

22 August 2025 10:02 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 61 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, named as a suspect in the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in government funds for a private overseas tour involving a group of ten, was today ordered to be remanded until August 26 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura.

Comments - 61

Dr Chaminda Friday, 22 August 2025 10:07 PM

No one is above the law

40 204

Dr Dutu Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:19 AM

Yeah! including the great king who was accompanied a plane load to New York , the same baiyas votes helped to increment 3% to 42%.

1 25

Mahesh Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:34 AM

If no one is above the law, with all the evidence against him how is that minister Wasantha is still free? Why no action has been taken against Minister Bimal for releasing the containers? With taxpayers’ money why is YouTuber Sudantha provided with security? Why president is wasting taxpayers’ money by staying at a private hotel when he travels when he has an official residence?

36 37

Robert. Hans Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:23 AM

This should have happened years ago . To all corrupt politicians. Then the country would have developed. At least now the judiciary is acting independently.

8 44

Walk the Talk Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:13 AM

Including AKDs close comrades. To date action is delayed against Cabinet comrade Wasantha Samarasinghe on a fraudulent deed case and Kumara Jayakody on a corrupt contract.

17 28

මෝඩ කැලුම් Saturday, 23 August 2025 01:43 PM

@Dr Chaminda, who's this no one? He must be very powerful to be above the law, noh?

0 9

Pusa Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:27 PM

Today it will be Ranil, tomorrow it will be AKD…let the cycle start

0 0

DD Friday, 22 August 2025 10:07 PM

ASG Peeris, are you serious? This is a one-of-a-kind leader — five-time PM, former President, respected worldwide. After decades of national service, his overseas visit can’t simply be labeled private or official — the country should cover it. Give him the benefit of the doubt. No politics, no case. Let Ranil go.

270 149

Dinesh Friday, 22 August 2025 10:48 PM

In your dreams respected worldwide , more a international joker, but due to being the leader of this country for whatever reason voted by the dumb masses, until they started using their brains.

23 37

Wilson Friday, 22 August 2025 10:56 PM

Are you serious? Ridiculous reasoning. Being a president is not a privilege, it's a service. I'm no fan of the NPP but to just shield a former president from justice just because he was the president is the backward thinking and mentality of why our country has not progressed enough since independence. He accepted it was a personal visit. No bilateral meeting were held during that visit and he also took a large entourage for absolutely no reason all with tax payers money burdening the citizens. Covering the presidents health cost with government funds is a no brainer but covering a personal visit crosses the line to misusing funds. 16 mil was spent for around 2 days. Don't be naive and shallow.

9 42

Citizen Friday, 22 August 2025 11:21 PM

Omg. Now I understand why our country is in this state. Please understand law is equal to all. ASG IS DOING A GOOD JOB. Try to understand and appreciate.

11 35

joshua Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:06 AM

Just because somebody did a good service to the country does not mean he can do anything with tax payers money.

10 38

Ram P Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:15 AM

Benefit of the doubt is a matter for court and not for counsel. The decision will be made after a hearing

1 24

Nalaka Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:30 AM

It is said that his salary from public service was said to have been directed to a a fund to care for elders. He never made use of an official residence which he was entitled to (I.e. Temple Trees or President's House or other) even after his only personal residence was burnt by Aragalaya elements. Someone seems to be scrapping the bottom of a barrel now that the first anniversary aapproaches very soon with very little to show on the report card against dealing with past corruption.

14 21

Rakitha W Saturday, 23 August 2025 08:01 AM

@for you and others, also mention who wreaked the country's economy. Who made people die in queues. Instead of developing the country, who developed themselves? Why did the unprivileged youth have to take arms to seek justice, both in the south and the north? While all the regional countries and others which were at similar economic situations moved forward while Sri Lanka was going backwards?

3 31

Rohan Saturday, 23 August 2025 10:14 AM

@DD - agree that he is `one of a kind` as he is the only Unelected President in our country. If you think that decades of political service should permit him use public funds for his private use, please cover it yourself because the country`s public funds belong to the public, something that all corrupt politicians have ignored over the years. That cant continue anymore.

5 20

Nation's honour Friday, 22 August 2025 10:17 PM

The nation's honour for the greatest of great leaders who rescued the economy in 2022. 11 hours of power cuts, queues to buy fuel, gas and other essentials, ships docked at the Colombo harbour unable to unload cargo due shortages in foreign exchange, etc. etc. Wow, what a country we are living in! Sir, we are with you!!!

241 161

Ok Friday, 22 August 2025 10:17 PM

This is nothing for him and he will be bailed out and he knows how to play around

85 62

Time has come Friday, 22 August 2025 10:18 PM

OK folks the time has come Let the games begin

15 98

Rogue Friday, 22 August 2025 10:19 PM

Perfect Justice.

66 148

Ratey Rala Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:23 AM

Yes justice is done if AKD does not visit his mother with private funds and a plethora of guards around as his entourage but what is happening is he using state funds for these visits

12 17

Dr Tissa Fernando Friday, 22 August 2025 10:19 PM

The magistrates future was on the line if bail was given. He was probably reminded about the fate of 11 other judges who did not honor the preplanned judgements of Pachawatte.

141 101

joshua Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:08 AM

Dr Pacha Tissa. You seem to be a witch doctor

9 10

Realistica Adams Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:43 AM

Did anyone see the Pacha Dr in court to support the offender? If not, why not, he should have been there.

8 11

Herman Perera Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:17 AM

Ratwatte Gone

1 14

Anura Jayantha Saturday, 23 August 2025 08:56 AM

You are still living in the past..wake up .. it is a new era..

7 14

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:18 PM

@Anura Jayantha, yes new 88 89 era.

0 0

slcitizen Friday, 22 August 2025 10:30 PM

End of elite politics. Disgraceful retirement. Time for the leaders of common man.

7 18

Asmodeus Friday, 22 August 2025 10:31 PM

This marked a historical event that can change the future of our country. I can guarantee that this case will fuel thousands or hundreds of thousands of such cases and will be an utter mess very soon. There were days in China that children spied on parents, and the parents were arrested on that evidence. We are walking towards such a future.

14 11

Jude Friday, 22 August 2025 10:46 PM

Ranil misused public money all his political Life. He always thought he can get away with this crime.

15 34

LMAO Saturday, 23 August 2025 01:48 PM

I'm sure you will provide all the evidence in court. Please voluntarily approach the prosecuting lawyers in this case and offer to produce all your evidence. It is your civic duty!

1 2

Eddy Friday, 22 August 2025 10:55 PM

No one is above the law but jvp racketeers including wasantha samarasinha, power minister, container minister etc! Is that what you mean morons?

11 15

DHA Friday, 22 August 2025 10:58 PM

What still puzzles me is the fact that why on earth RW being a rich guy had to use state money for a personal travel, had to say a stupid move. So when are we going to hear about MR and Basil?

0 20

Jude Friday, 22 August 2025 11:11 PM

I want next MR and Namal, yeah.

1 23

Alisten Sydney Friday, 22 August 2025 11:24 PM

At last , I am happy today. He deserve it, he supported Rakapasak regime so all called Karma.He protected all corrupt ministers and police officers.

8 15

RP Friday, 22 August 2025 11:35 PM

This is a Joke indeed. Party of 10 vs Party of 120 by Mahinda Rajapakse. He is Scot Free and RW is in Jail. RW is the man who rescued us from the Bankruptcy!

13 22

Neel Ahmed Friday, 22 August 2025 11:49 PM

I have read above all comments; According to my view whoever done wrong activies against the law of country should be liable to face the trial. This is only remand , until the final judgment he is innocent. After all we should not forget he has so accused for the Batalanda and center bank cases. And he was notba popular political leader.

2 6

Unhappyviewer Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:28 AM

A drama once a month to make sure everyone is distracted from the fact that the acting government is incapable of accelerating growth or coming up with any sort of plan. sri Lankan logic is that people should govern without any expectations or financial support from them. What you idiots want is a fake con artist who acts clean while looting money and not people like ranil who do things but don't sweet talk dumb idiot voters.

14 12

NS Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:48 AM

Very sad day for Sri Lanka. This money is peanut to Ranil family who donated lot of money to charities. I think God will not accept remanding Ranil for financial crime Ranil is most clean politician in Sri Lanka who earn nickname Mr. Clean. it is error of judgement by official who organised. Recently presidential secretary wife met an accident while using official car. Is it not misuse of public funds ? Now new benchmark set . All minister all official vehicle movement will be monitored by people. I think NPP downfall start from today in the rule of God

15 23

Umpire Sujith Premadasa Saturday, 23 August 2025 01:21 AM

Ok who is next to Ranil? Namal, Yoshitha, Ratharang Rohitha or Jonny?

1 11

Russel Harmmer Saturday, 23 August 2025 01:25 AM

After 26th August 2025, please don't release on bail. Then the hot cakes will lose it's taste. It should be a good lesson for all SLPP, SLFP, and UNP rotters.

7 10

sss Saturday, 23 August 2025 01:29 AM

Obviously this offense has been done by most past politicians and they should be also investigated promptly to avoid the perception that this was being a targeted investigation

0 12

Indra dasa Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:29 AM

Sri Lankan VOTERS used their democratic rights to elect a People's government after WAITING more than seven decades in order to experience quality of life for all citizens . Now this government is taking action on behalf of the majority people by establishing independence to work in all law enforcement and judicial services as a result now the law of the country has been put on above anyone , NOT like before . Therefore who ever did wrong in the past as well who are planning to do such things now or in the future will face the full force of the law .

6 14

76 year hoodoo Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:35 AM

A day to celebrate. Justice is equal. He was a supposed great leader projected by himself and his white collar thieving buddied based on several false narratives. He protected rogues and in tern the protected him. That's all in the past now. He was also rejected many times by an overwhelming majority of the people. A few die hard supporters who have been benefiting financially make some noise here and there. But the 76 year curse is gradually closing.

12 12

Nvfgjjjkkkk Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:47 AM

Great justice, finally people beginning to see a true justice, he's just a normal human being now, he should be given the punishment to what he has done, spending 17 million, is he Donald Trump, NPP are the true leaders, and if someone is telling another 2 years or 3 years, cut my ears another atleast 15 years.

10 10

M Fernando Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:05 AM

Poor Saviour of the Country ! Didn't even give him a nice bus to be transported to Courts... ! Shame on the NPP ! At the rate that former Ministers, and Ex politicians are being arrested, it is high time that the Prisons Department and Police buy a small fleet of luxury buses to transport them between Prison and Courts !!! Also we should look at building a super-luxury prison (AC, Special Kitchens, etc) to house any that are found guilty.

9 4

Kevin Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:34 AM

Well done. This will send a signal to those who want to abuse power.

7 12

Disgusted citizen Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:29 AM

Shame on you NPP! Never thought you will scoop down to such a low level. What a country we are living in!

15 19

Lost Lankan Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:15 AM

Very ungrateful people placed in power simply showed their literate levels to personally inflicted forced ruling on ex. This country will regret for life for what took place of a respected politician currently we have. There were much more serious offenders in govt forces accountable for mush higher than 16.60m to account. The personal grievances and venges towards a leader. SL changed its international image just less than 6 months during the crisis time thanks to this leader but we public have now forgotten.

10 19

Sumith Pilapitiya Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:33 AM

Why did our leaders for past 76 years neglect the country and only look after their party members and coalition partners. Very selfish, elitist approach. Why are essential electrical and electronic items not produced locally and given to people at lower prices, Why was the private thermal mafia allowed to flourish and renewable energy not developed giving people and industries cheap electricity bills, Why was the armed forces and judiciary politicised resulting in people having to face lengthy proceedings and delayed or denied justice, why was the drug and underworld psupported, why was the rice, sugar mafias not broken and prices at reasonable prices why was the ethnic problem allowed to drag for 76 years without resolution and taking fearless bold decisions for the betterment of all people like Lee Kuan Yew. Karma is now coming back to the people who neglected the country and people.

3 21

Sobers Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:49 AM

Law is applicable to everyone, immaterial of what good you have done. No one is indispensable.

2 14

Truth Saturday, 23 August 2025 08:27 AM

Normally politicians get their personal foreign trips with familes sponsored by crony businessmen as a return for the favours done. Cronies have an obligation.

0 9

Appuhamy Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:55 AM

This is an example to all. When one ascends the ladder of importance, the higher position even once, knowing the money belongs to people many of whom poor or old but paid indirect taxes for goods and services obtained, any person who is at the helm of society in position and power should be humble, not ranting and raving at others, and do his or her duty, but must not for personal reasons take tax payers money where due to indirect taxes even beggars are paying for things like food. Higher one goes must be humble and not create high self-conceit.

3 9

Rafeek Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:58 AM

Even though he bailed out the fraud, his hidden truth was eventually exposed. It was Ranil who bailed out the country, and India also played a key role by providing $4 billion, which helped save the nation. However, everyone knows that it was due to fraud and the stealing of public money that the country went bankrupt in the first place. Exposing such fraud is a good step for the future generations of Sri Lanka.

6 9

Realistica Adams Saturday, 23 August 2025 11:33 AM

NOTE: EVERYONE IS EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW NOW. President, PM, Ministers anyone who abuses power will face the law. Well done democracy, Well done CID, AGs Dept and Judiciary. SL is a free country NOW.

2 5

Herman Perera Saturday, 23 August 2025 11:56 AM

I think people forget when the Supreme Court gave a verdict finding the Rajapakses guilty, RW turned a blind eye. He might have to face the music.

0 4

One shot Ram Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:27 PM

This is a good question. Yes, after the Supreme Court gave their verdict against Mahinda and Gota, it has to be followed up. Now it is not too late, they could be accommodated next to Ranil's cage.

3 2

Rathnavali Saturday, 23 August 2025 12:53 PM

He has not misappropriated State funds. He already had a transit ticket for his official visit to Havana for G7 summit. When he landed in London, he attended the University function for which he had an official invitation. Anyhow he would have landed in London on transit. So where is the criminal misappropriation of public funds? Whether public of private, a President is accompanied by his bodyguards. This is a vicious attack on an ex- President who has not even taken the benefits that is normally offered to a President during his term! Shame on the Government and AKD. This will come back on them eventually.....

4 8

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:19 PM

Implementing the adgenda of the Diaspora.

0 0

Tissa Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:35 PM

University function was a private visit. To be "official" it should have been extended by the British government. Don't you think spending Rs 166 million for two days was excessive when the country has been declared bankrupt?

0 1

Mk Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:27 PM

The beginning of the end of the NPP govt.

1 0

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