"Sri Lanka's anticorruption units have led a crackdown since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September on a promise to fight corruption. A Wickremesinghe ally from his United National Party (UNP) proclaimed his innocence and suggested the case was politically motivated. Ranil Wickremesinghe has never misused public funds or state funds, UNP member Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe told reporters outside the court complex in Colombo where the former president appeared."
"He was the person who stepped up and accepted the challenge to save this country when the economy collapsed, Warnasinghe said. That is the person who is being treated like this today by this government. Wickremesinghe had stopped in London in 2023 on his way back to Sri Lanka from Havana, where he attended a G77 summit. His office had previously denied that he abused his position to visit London. Three of his then-senior aides were questioned this month by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)."
Ranil Wickremesinghe, 76, has been arrested and produced in court on allegations of misusing state funds tied to a London stopover in 2023 to attend his wife's graduation. Police confirmed the arrest and said they are awaiting a court directive on further steps. Three of his then-senior aides were questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department. Sri Lanka's anticorruption units intensified actions after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office promising to fight corruption. A United National Party ally publicly denied misuse and suggested the case may be politically motivated. Wickremesinghe's office previously denied any abuse of position.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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