- Saman Ekanayake granted bail
The wife of former President, attorney Ranil Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) tomorrow (20). This was revealed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) when the case related to the alleged misappropriation of public funds by Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday (18). The CID has issued summons to record a statement from Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe in connection with the ongoing investigation involving Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Meanwhile, the former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake was granted bail by the Colombo Fort MC yesterday. Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara ordered Ekanayake to be released on two surety bails amounting to Rs. two million each. The bail request was made on behalf of Ekanayake by President’s Counsel (PC) Kalinga Indatissa. Ekanayake was produced in Court once again yesterday.
Ekanayake was arrested and remanded in relation to the case filed over the alleged misuse of public funds involving Ranil Wickremesinghe. The case was filed in relation to a complaint filed against Wickremesinghe, alleging the misappropriation of more than Rs. 16.2 million in public funds. It is alleged that the funds were used to finance a private foreign visit to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023. Ekanayake was arrested and remanded on suspicion of aiding and abetting in the offence by approving public funds for Wickremesinghe to undertake the said private visit to the UK. Ranil Wickremesinghe was also arrested in relation to the case but subsequently released on bail by the Colombo Fort MC.
When the case related to the misuse of public funds involving Wickremesinghe was taken up for hearing at the Colombo Fort MC on 11 February of this year (2026), Ekanayake was further remanded until yesterday. Accordingly, Magistrate Neththikumara had ordered the same after considering submissions made by Additional Solicitor General, Dileepa Peiris PC, appearing on behalf of the CID, and Indatissa PC, who represented the defendant.