Saman Ekanayake At CID To Provide Statement On Ranil's UK Visit

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (4) to provide a statement related to an ongoing investigation. After completing the process, he departed the premises in the evening.

The prolonged questioning session is part of an ongoing investigation.

Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake has been summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an ongoing probe into a controversial overseas trip allegedly undertaken by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe using public funds.

The investigation, communicated to the court via a B report in late June, centers around claims that Wickremesinghe used approximately Rs. 16.9 million in state funds to travel to the United Kingdom in September 2023. 

The trip, reportedly for his wife’s graduation ceremony, is said to have included a delegation of ten individuals.

According to a B-report submitted by the CID to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, the former President had been on official visits to Cuba and the United States at the time. 

However, he is alleged to have diverted to the UK from the U.S. to attend the private event.

In a related development, Sandra Perera, who served as Wickremesinghe’s privatre secretary, was questioned by CID officials for over six hours yesterday (4).