Sri Lanka's political scene has witnessed another dramatic event. Law enforcement officials have arrested the country's former president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on charges of misusing state funds for personal benefit. The Independent publication reported this.
Charges and Reasons
According to information, the 76-year-old politician is being held accountable for stopping in the UK for personal reasons during an official trip in 2023. He had made a brief stop in London on his return from the G77 summit to attend a ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton with his spouse.
Currently, Wickremesinghe categorically denies all charges. According to him, the expenses during the trip were covered by his spouse, and no state funds were used. However, Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department asserts that the president's personal visit, including expenses for his personal security, was covered by the state.
Political Career and Historical Place
Ranil Wickremesinghe has been an active participant in the country's political life since 1977. He was elected to parliament at the age of 28 and later held the position of prime minister six times. Amid mass protests in 2022, he was appointed head of government and shortly after also assumed the position of President of Sri Lanka.
His leadership period coincided with the most severe economic crisis in the country's history. Wickremesinghe was recognized as a key figure in securing financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Subsequently, he also received significant attention for taking certain steps towards achieving economic stability.
First-Ever Arrest
Historically, this is considered the first instance of a former president of Sri Lanka being arrested. This event is likely to have a significant impact on the country's political future and the processes within its law enforcement system.
Experts believe that the charges against Wickremesinghe could lead to major debates and controversies in the upcoming political processes, while also further pushing the issue of transparency in Sri Lanka to the forefront.
