The Attorney General informed the Colombo Magistrate's Court yesterday (19th) that the investigation into a private trip to the UK by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, allegedly funded by the state, will be concluded within a month and that a case will subsequently be filed in a High Court.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the court that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has already recorded statements from approximately 50 individuals and that about 90% of the investigation is now complete.

Update on the Investigation

Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is accused of undertaking this controversial trip in 2023 at a cost of over Rs. 16.6 million in state funds.

Mr. Peiris also stated that the CID is conducting a thorough investigation into the invitation letter allegedly received from the University of Wolverhampton in the UK, which is expected to be completed by December. Following this, the Attorney General's Department intends to file a case against the suspects in a High Court.

Travel Ban on Saman Ekanayake

Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who is currently under a travel ban in connection with this case, had filed a motion requesting permission to travel abroad for the birth of his grandchild.

However, the Attorney General's Department strongly objected to the request. The Additional Solicitor General argued that it was Mr. Ekanayake who had approved the state funds for the trip, effectively turning a private visit into an official one. The prosecution contended that as an essential person in the case, he could not be permitted to leave the country.

Following the prosecution's assurance that the investigation would be concluded swiftly, President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Mr. Ekanayake, informed the court that he was withdrawing the travel request.

Consequently, Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered the case to be recalled on 28th January 2026 to review the progress of the investigation.

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