Courtesy The Island

Thilini Ranasinghe speaking to the media outside of the Police headquarters

A person, named Thilini Ranasinghe yesterday, said she had requested information from the Police under the country’s Right to Information law regarding a visit by Lankan police officers to an English university linked to an ongoing case involving a former president.

Addressing the media outside the Police Headquarters in Colombo, Ranasinghe said she had visited the Police to confirm facts related to reports that officers travelled to England in connection with a case involving the imprisonment of Sri Lanka’s eighth executive president.

She added that she had formally requested details about the visit under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, seeking information about the number of police officers who travelled to the UK, their identities, the expenses incurred and the outcomes of the visit.

I am not requesting any sensitive information about the case itself, because it is still ongoing,” Ranasinghe said.

What I need to know is how much public money was spent and what results were achieved from this visit.”

She said her request was made in her capacity as a citizen and taxpayer and that she expects the relevant authorities to provide the information within 14 days, as required by law.

Responding to questions about her motive, Ranasinghe said the public has a right to know how state funds are used by authorities.

As citizens and taxpayers, we have the right to know how our money is being spent,” she said.

Asked whether she would take legal action if misuse of funds or other irregularities were revealed, Ranasinghe said she believes the law applies equally to all and plans to address the media again after receiving the requested information and related documents.

If there has been any wrongdoing, I will file a fundamental rights petition and take the necessary legal steps,” she said.

The case involving the former president remains under legal proceedings, and according to official disclosures in Parliament, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has incurred expenses totaling Rs. 1.27 billion for 23 overseas visits between 2022 and 2024.

These figures were reported by Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa, who told Parliament that the total covered 23 foreign tours during Wickremesinghe’s tenure, including four in 2022, 14 in 2023 and five in 2024.