Among those arrested are former President Ranil Wickremesinghe – a six-time prime minister and president from 2022 to 2024 – as well as numerous ex-ministers and provincial leaders implicated in alleged misdeeds.
Sri Lanka’s government, under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, has ignited a sweeping wave of high-profile arrests targeting political figures from past administrations. The move comes amid growing criticism over delays in fulfilling the administration’s ambitious anti-corruption and economic promises made during last year’s presidential campaign.
EconomyNext reports that at least 15 former politicians have been detained in recent months, marking the most concentrated enforcement of accountability in recent memory. Among those arrested are former President Ranil Wickremesinghe – a six-time prime minister and president from 2022 to 2024 – as well as numerous ex-ministers and provincial leaders implicated in alleged misdeeds.
Wickremesinghe’s Arrest: A Historical Milestone
On August 22, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking the first time a former Sri Lankan head of state was arrested. He stands accused of misusing approximately Rs. 16.9 million (around USD 50,000) in public funds to finance what authorities characterize as a “private” visit to London in September 2023 for his wife’s PhD graduation – an itinerary appended to official travel to Cuba and the US.
Wickremesinghe was remanded until August 26, when he was granted bail. His party, the United National Party (UNP), condemned the arrest as politically motivated, accusing the NPP government of weaponizing justice for partisan ends. Observers, however, view the move as emblematic of a broader shift: whether Sri Lanka is entering an era of genuine accountability – or merely staging headline-grabbing gestures.
Oxford scholar Dr. Thiruni Kelegama called the arrest “a watershed moment,” potentially puncturing the long-standing impunity enjoyed by elite political figures and serving as a litmus test for institutional reform in Sri Lanka.
A Broader Sweep
EconomyNext’s breakdown of the 15 high-profile arrests reveals a wide spectrum of allegations:
Rajitha Senaratne, former cabinet minister, arrested for allegedly causing losses exceeding Rs. 20 million through a sand-mining tender deal; he is remanded until early September.
Other figures, including ex-ministers and legislators, were arrested for offences ranging from misuse of state land and property, illicit procurement of goods, electoral fraud, and abduction. Several are implicated in schemes that led to multi-million-rupee losses to the government.
State investigators also targeted those involved in supply irregularities, such as purchases of sports equipment intended for public distribution that were allegedly diverted or misused.
Political Backdrop: Promises, Delays, and Discontent
The arrests unfold against a backdrop of public frustration. The NPP government, elected on a promise of accountability and prosperity, has faced mounting criticism for slow progress in delivering economic reforms and addressing long-standing grievances.
Critics argue the arrests may be diversionary, intended to redirect public attention away from unfulfilled economic promises. Yet analysts counter that this crackdown – especially if pursued with transparency and due process – could catalyse long-overdue structural changes.
Earlier in 2025, President Dissanayake emphasized restoring public trust in the judiciary and prosecuting unresolved high-profile cases – including the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and alleged misconduct by powerful political dynasties.
Human Rights and Governance Concerns Remain
Amid the anti-corruption drive, watchdogs caution that civic freedoms must not be sacrificed in pursuit of political score-settling. Sri Lanka’s civic space remains under international scrutiny; recent reports signal limited protests and arrests of dissenters, with organizations like CIVICUS rating the environment as “repressed.”
The United Nations and local human rights groups continue to urge the government to align its accountability efforts with broader human rights obligations.
Looking Ahead: Change or Theatre?
Sri Lanka has arrived at a crossroads. The arrest of a former head of state is unprecedented and signals a defiance of entrenched norms. As Dr. Kelegama noted, the question looms large: Is this the beginning of genuine reform – or just another headline?
The government’s true test will lie in its transparency, judicial integrity, and its ability to balance reform with civil liberties. With at least 15 arrests already underway, and public expectations soaring, the NPP government must tread carefully to ensure its anti-corruption pledge evolves into systemic transformation, not a fleeting political spectacle.
