Ex-Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly misusing state funds during a personal trip to London in September 2023.

The visit included attending a ceremony for his wife at a British university.

Wickremesinghe claimed his wife covered her expenses, but the CID alleged government money funded his travel and security.

He was called to confirm that he had been detained and is scheduled to appear before the Colombo Fort magistrate.

Wickremesinghe became president in July 2022 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned amid protests.

He helped stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy but lost his re-election bid to AK Disannayake in September 2023.