The Attorney General’s Department informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19) that investigations regarding the alleged loss of over Rs 15 million to the government during former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure are nearing completion.

The investigation concerns a private visit made to the United Kingdom to attend the graduation ceremony of Professor Maitree Wickremesinghe at the University of Wolverhampton. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, stated before Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that steps will be taken to file a case in a High Court within a month as the inquiry is in its final stages.

The case was taken up following a motion filed by a legal panel led by President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, requesting the temporary lifting of the overseas travel ban imposed on former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake to allow him to visit Australia for his daughter’s childbirth.

Objecting to this request, Dileepa Peiris stated that the investigation is currently focused on a questionable invitation letter from the university—which the prosecution maintains is forged. He highlighted that over 50 statements have been recorded and warned against lifting the ban, citing the previous escape of former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran during the bond scam investigation.

Following the objections and the update on the investigation’s progress, Kalinga Indatissa PC informed the court that the request would be withdrawn. He noted that his client practices law and has no intention of fleeing the country. Accordingly, the Magistrate dismissed the request to lift the travel ban.

Saman Ekanayake has not been named as a suspect in the case but is currently subject to a travel ban under the Public Property Act pending the conclusion of the investigation.