Ranil's UK Trip Scandal: University Yet to Respond

COLOMBO (News 1st); Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that the Criminal Investigation Department has been instructed to investigate whether Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, the wife of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and his private secretary Sandra Perera, had misappropriated state funds during a controversial foreign visit undertaken by the former President.

This was revealed when the relevant case was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

In this case filed under the Public Property Act against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Saman Ekanayake, who has been named as the second suspect, was further remanded until the 18th.

During the hearing of the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, over allegations of misappropriating Rs. 16.6 million of state funds to undertake a tour in the United Kingdom, former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who is currently in remand custody, was produced before the court by prison officials.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, presenting an updated progress report of the investigation to the court, informed that a statement recorded from the second suspect while in prison had been submitted to the court.

Excerpt:

“My Lord, I am not saying that the second suspect is a corrupt person. However, he has acted like an experienced criminal. In the final statement recorded by the investigators, he has clearly stated his position. He said that the first suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe, traveled to London merely on transit, and that he had no awareness of former President Wickremesinghe attending any event at the University of Wolverhampton or a graduation ceremony of his wife.”

End of excerpt.

The Additional Solicitor General further informed the court that, according to the previous court order issued on February 4, a questionnaire regarding the said graduation ceremony had been sent to the University of Wolverhampton via fax and registered mail.

Excerpt:

“My Lord, as per the previous court order, we sent a questionnaire containing nine questions to the University of Wolverhampton seeking clarification regarding the graduation ceremony. We have not yet received a response. These nine questions were structured in a way that would help identify the information necessary for the progress of the investigation.”

End of excerpt.

At that point, the Magistrate inquired from the Additional Solicitor General whether any further orders related to the investigation were being sought.

Responding, the Additional Solicitor General stated that the letter by the second suspect dated 2023/09/01, related to the questionable foreign tour, should be referred to the Government Examiner of Questioned Documents for handwriting analysis.

After considering the facts, the Magistrate granted approval for the request.

Thereafter, President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the second suspect Saman Ekanayake, made a bail application on behalf of his client.

Excerpt:

“My Lord, my client has not gone to the University of Wolverhampton. He has not traveled to London. This questionable flight has no relevance to my client. He is a public sector officer with 39 years of public service. He has already clearly stated his position. He only knew that the first suspect was travelling to London on transit. He was first informed about this foreign tour through an email received on 7 September 2023. This email was sent by the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Saroja Sirisena, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry thereafter forwarded it to the Presidential Secretariat. It is only after this that my client became aware of the tour.”

End of excerpt.

The President’s Counsel stated that his client had only approved the allocation of these funds, and that he had not obtained any improper benefit or advantage from the process.

Excerpt:

“My Lord, according to the expenditure breakdown prepared by the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, under the signature of the British High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena, my client approved the relevant funds.
My Lord, he had no authority to reject it, question it, or make a decision regarding it. His role was only to provide the necessary financial provisions based on the letter. If there was any issue regarding these financial allocations, it should have been rejected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not by my client. He is not in a position to do that. Therefore, accusations cannot be levelled against my client regarding the allocation of these financial provisions. Considering these special circumstances, I respectfully request that suitable bail conditions be granted to my client.”

End of excerpt.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris raised objections to the bail application.

Excerpt:

“My Lord, the second suspect has stated that he only knew the first suspect was travelling to London for a transit. If that is the case, he had the ability to question the first suspect about the approval of Rs. 16.6 million in state funds for a 36-hour trip. This approval was granted at a time when the country had officially declared bankruptcy. My Lord, the first letter regarding this trip was received by him on September 1, 2023. Now he is trying to shift all the responsibility onto Saroja Sirisena. My Lord, I have already instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate whether Ranil Wickremesinghe's wife, and his personal private secretary Sandra Perera misused state funds by also joining this trip. After the second suspect was remanded on the previous date, he was seen on the prison bus joining his hands and saying ‘Jaya Wewa’ to the media. He appeared to be delighted. How can a suspect in remand custody behave in such a manner?
The first suspect and another individual have already visited him. There is a possible risk of influencing witnesses, My Lord. Therefore, bail should not be granted. I strongly oppose granting bail to this suspect.”

End of excerpt.

After considering the submissions, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara stated that when a suspect is remanded, their freedom becomes restricted, and therefore a suspect’s behaviour under such circumstances must also be taken into account. 

Otherwise, the court would be compelled to make a determination based on such conduct, the Magistrate noted.

The Magistrate further stated that the arguments presented by both parties regarding the bail application must be carefully evaluated.

Accordingly, he fixed February 18 for delivering the bail order in relation to the second suspect.