Probe 90% complete in case against Ranil Wikremesinghe: AG tells court

Higher court proceedings expected  

By Bhagya Silva   

The Attorney General yesterday informed Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that investigations into the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, over the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds, will be completed within a month and that steps will thereafter be taken to institute proceedings before a higher court.   

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris, appearing for the Attorney General conveyed this position when a motion filed by former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake was taken up before court. A foreign travel ban has been imposed on former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who sought court permission through a motion to have the ban lifted.   

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Ekanayake submitted that his client’s daughter who is currently overseas, is expecting childbirth and that his client needed to travel to be with her. He therefore moved for the travel ban to be lifted.  

Objecting to the request, ASG Dileepa Peeris told court.   

“Saman Ekanayake has been named as a vital person in this investigation. He is not merely a ministry secretary but served as the Presidential Secretary who approved the expenditure in question. Therefore, the complainant strongly objects to lifting the foreign travel ban at this stage.”   

He further informed court that, in line with directions issued on the previous date, approximately 90% of the investigation into the alleged misuse of State funds by former President Wickremesinghe has now been completed. Statements have been recorded from over 50 persons.   

The ASG added that the investigation into the invitation letter purportedly issued by the University of Wolverhampton, which former President Wickremesinghe had submitted to court, is also underway and will likewise be completed within a month. Steps will then be taken to proceed before a higher court.   

After considering the complainant’s objections, President’s Counsel informed court that, since the prosecution had assured the expeditious completion of investigations his client would withdraw the request made at this stage to lift the travel ban.   

Accordingly, Magistrate ordered the case to be recalled on 28 January for a progress report on the investigations.