2023 UK trip state funds case
Current status of the 2023 UK trip state funds case
Alleged misuse of more than Rs. 16.6 million in state funds for a September 2023 UK stopover (about 32 hours, on the way back from Cuba and the US) that investigators characterise as a private visit to attend an honorary-professorship ceremony for his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, at the University of Wolverhampton. Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake is the second suspect (aiding and abetting). The case is under the Offences Against Public Property Act. No indictment has been filed and there is no conviction.
What’s happened
CID told the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court on 8 Jul 2026 that its investigation was complete and sent to the Attorney General; the court fixed 30 Sep 2026 to hear the AG's position. On 29 Apr 2026 the then magistrate had said there was sufficient evidence to file indictments and ordered the AG to do so without delay, but none had been filed as of mid-Aug 2026 (AG's Department said the material was under review). Reported defence position: the trip followed a genuine university invitation, no clear line separates official and private presidential travel, his wife paid her own expenses, and inflated billing by the organiser (Skywings) and the High Commission, not him, is to blame. Reported figures for the amount vary by outlet (Rs. 16.2m, 16.6m, 16.9m); Rs. 16.6m is the figure in most court reporting. On 30 Sep 2026 the Attorney General told Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that the CID investigation was complete, the investigation extracts had been sent to the AG's Department and were being studied, and that the AG's position would be conveyed on 11 Nov 2026 (2.00 pm). No decision on prosecution was announced on 30 September and no indictment has been filed.
- Court
- Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- 11 November 2026
2023 UK trip state funds case timeline
- 11 November 2026
Next Hearing
Date fixed on 30 September 2026 for the Attorney General to inform the court of its position on the case.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)
- 30 September 2026
Hearing
The Attorney General told the court the CID investigation was complete and the file was being studied, and said its position would be stated on 11 November 2026. No prosecution decision was announced.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
- 8 July 2026
Hearing
CID told Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that its investigation was complete and the file had been sent to the Attorney General; the State asked for time to present the AG's position. The defence tendered documents saying the vehicles, about half the disputed sum, were provided by the British Government and sought further inquiry. The case was put off to 30 Sep 2026.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)
- 29 April 2026
Hearing
Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara said the evidence against the first suspect was sufficient to file indictments and directed the Attorney General to file them in the High Court without delay, noting that delayed investigations lose value. The AG undertook to finish remaining inquiries within a month. Defence counsel Tilak Marapana, PC, argued the costs were inflated by the organiser Skywings and the High Commission and that his client bore no responsibility.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (3)
- 28 January 2026
Hearing
The Attorney General's Department told the court the investigation would be completed within a month and that charges were expected to be filed in March 2026. Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake was remanded the same day as the second suspect (bailed on 18 Feb 2026). The case was put off to 29 Apr 2026.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (3)
- 26 August 2025
Bail Granted
After four days in remand, he was released on bail (three bail bonds of Rs. 5 million each) on medical grounds while hospitalised; the Attorney General's Department had opposed bail.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)
- 22 August 2025
Remanded
The politician was remanded in connection with Alleged misuse of state funds for 2023 UK trip. The structured record shows the remand period ending on 2025-08-26.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court