Court hearing on RW’s London visit Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before CID on Feb. 20

By Bhagya Silva  

The Additional Solicitor General informed court that Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department on February 20 to record a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation.  

ASG Dileepa Peeris further told court that the Kollupitiya Police had informed the wife of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, to appear before Financial Crimes Investigation Unit 3 of the Criminal Investigation Department on Friday, February 20 at 9.00 a.m. to record a statement in connection with the same investigation.

Issuing the bail order to former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who is alleged to have aided and abetted an incident in which a loss exceeding Rs. 16 million was caused to the State due to a private visit to London undertaken during the tenure of office as former President to attend the graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara granted bail to the suspect.  

Pronouncing the bail order in respect of the second suspect, the former Presidential Secretary Somisara Bandara Ekanayake, the Magistrate stated as follows,  

The allegation levelled against the second suspect in this case is that, as the highest State officer, he aided and abetted the offence allegedly committed by the first suspect former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, by approving a suspected financial fraud carried out while holding office as the Head of State.  

According to the facts presented in this case, it appears that this suspect approved State funds based solely on the decisions of administrative officers without verifying whether the foreign visit of the Head of State was a private visit or an official visit. At a time when funds were scarce, he ought to have personally inquired into the matter at the time of granting such approval. It was a responsibility that could not be avoided.   “If the highest State officer of the government acts in such a manner, what can be said about the management of State finances at lower levels?” Therefore, it is observed that this suspect had acted with criminal intent. However upon considering the totality of the allegations in this case, greater responsibility lies with the first suspect Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, than with the second suspect, former Presidential Secretary.  Nevertheless, the predecessor Magistrate had released the first suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on bail after considering medical facts as a special circumstance. The bail order states that the first suspect Ranil Wickremesinghe, was suffering from a terminal illness. However, it is not observed that he had obtained treatment for such an illness close to the time of his arrest. It has also not been revealed that he obtained treatment for any such life-threatening condition after being granted bail. Further, the medical reports considered when issuing that bail order were not medical reports called for by a court order.  “Therefore, I observe that bail had been granted without sufficient material to conclude that the first suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had received treatment for a terminal condition.”  

All persons must be equal before the law in accordance with the supreme Constitution of the country. The law cannot make a distinction between the first suspect, former President and the second suspect former Presidential Secretary.  

Therefore, considering this situation, there is no reason to refuse bail to the second suspect, the former Presidential Secretary, Saman Ekanayake. Accordingly, I order that the suspect be released on two surety bails of Rs. 20 million each.  After the order was pronounced, the Criminal Investigation Department, filing a further report, stated as follows,  In terms of the order issued by court on 2026.01.28, a questionnaire consisting of nine questions was forwarded to the Secretary and the Chairman of the University of Wolverhampton, however, no response has yet been received, the ASG informed court.  

Further, ASG Dileepa Peeris stated that after the first suspect, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was remanded on 2025.08.25, a large disturbance occurred within the court premises. Subsequently, Your Honour’s Court issued directions to take appropriate action regarding those persons. However, yesterday false propaganda was being circulated over the internet stating that relevant reports had been received from the University of Wolverhampton and that this case would collapse. In addition, press conferences are being held in an organised manner intimidating witnesses. There are many legal professionals who do not speak inside court but speak outside. Investigations are being conducted to take appropriate legal action against them. These persons are creating psychological intimidation to prevent witnesses from giving evidence.  After the Magistrate directed the Criminal Investigation Department, the Court observed that there are adequate legal provisions in place to address any attempts to influence witnesses and instructed that appropriate legal action be initiated against any such unnecessary conduct.  

The Magistrate further ordered that the progress of the investigations be reported on April 29. The Court also directed that it be informed prior to filing indictments in the High Court.