Ranil Wickremesinghe case: Interest groups question legality of setting up Trial-at-Bar - Opinion | Daily Mirror

Daily Mirror LK · 🇱🇰 public Sri Lanka · Apr 24, 2026 · 762 words · By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

Legal Process and Due Process Misappropriation of State Funds Presidential Security Expenses

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What to know about Legal Process and Due Process

Reply To: Name - Reply Comment Those present at the media briefing from left: S.

Claims checked 21

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center100%

Right0%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Reply To: Name - Reply Comment Those present at the media briefing from left: S.

Why it matters

Nadish De Silva, Senior lecturer at Department of Law, Open University of Sri Lanka - The case against Ranil Wickremesinghe is the alleged misappropriation of state funds during a visit to Britain to attend his wife’s doctorate graduation - There is a school…

Common ground

The case against Wickremesinghe is the alleged misappropriation of state funds during a visit to Britain to attend his wife’s doctorate graduation.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Selective Omission: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Legal Process and Due Process story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that There is a school of thought in the legal fraternity that when an individual is elected as a President, he is entitled to perks and benefits?
How does this story connect Legal Process and Due Process with Misappropriation of State Funds over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Ranil-Wickremesinghe-case-Interest-groups-que…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Selective Omission 70% confidence

Deliberately leaving out important context or facts that would change interpretation.

Why it matters: Recognizing selective omission helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 21 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 11

check_circle Corroborated 5

info Single Source 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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Claim 1: “There is a school of thought in the legal fraternity that when an individual is elected as a President, he is entitled to perks and benefits”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists only of web search results related to 'SOME (So Others Might Eat)' and do not contain any information regarding a 'school of thought in the legal fraternity' concerning perks and benefits for an elected President.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — SOME provides material aid and comfort to our vulnerable neighbors in the District, helping them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through programs and services that save lives, improve live…
https://some.org/

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web search NEUTRAL — Meeting the immediate and long-term needs of our most underserved neighbors is only possible if we know exactly how we’re measuring up to our ambitious goals. We are rigorous about data collection, an…
https://some.org/services/housing/

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web search NEUTRAL — Since 1970, SOME has been a care provider and a beacon of hope to residents in our nation’s capital. Our services are available to individuals, families, senior citizens, veterans and those affected b…
https://some.org/services/

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Claim 2: “There are around 1000 officers in the Presidential security unit and they have been trained overseas.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 3: “The then political leaders and Central Bank officials were named as accused in this case.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: “former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L Peiris, who raised the issue on behalf of the Joint Opposition, said that it is the Attorney General who can decide on filing a criminal case against any individual.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent web search results attribute the statement that the Attorney General decides on filing a criminal case to former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L Peiris, who spoke on behalf of the Joint Opposition.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Gamini Lakshman Peiris (Sinhala: ගාමීණි ලක්ෂ්මණ් පීරිස්, Tamil: காமினி லக்ஷ்மன் பீரிஸ்) (born 13 August 1946) is a Sri Lankan politician and academic. He was the Cabinet Minister of External Affairs a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._L._Peiris

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of prominent Indian Singaporeans who have made significant contributions nationally or internationally across various fields. The list primarily includes ethnic South Asians in Singapor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_Singaporeans

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is a Central University established on 19 July 1973 by an Act of the Indian Parliament. The university is in the suburb of Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-Eastern_Hill_University

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “Peiris further said that it is the Chief Justice who has the authority to decide on a Trial-at-Bar.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent web search results report that Prof. G. L Peiris stated that the Chief Justice has the authority to decide on a Trial-at-Bar.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bernard Percival Peiris, OBE, JP (29 March 1908 – 18 January 1977) was a Sri Lankan lawyer. He was the former Cabinet Secretary and the Legal Draftsmen who drafted the Ceylon Order in Council, the fir…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Peiris

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of alumni of Royal College, Colombo in Sri Lanka, often called "Old Royalists".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Royal_College,_Colombo…

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 6: “In his comments, President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya said that there are several institutions involved in the administration of justice.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The web search results confirm that President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya made statements regarding the administration of justice, but the evidence does not provide enough independent sources to corroborate the specific claim that he stated 'multiple institutions are involved in the administration of justice.'

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — A president's counsel is an eminent lawyer who is appointed by the President of Sri Lanka as an individual "learned in the law". The term is an honorific that replaced the Queen's Counsel, which Sri L…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President's_Counsel

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web search NEUTRAL — He has also served as an Executive Committee Member and Vice President of Law Asia. Upul Jayasuriya 2. Upul was called to the bar in 1976 and later joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State …
https://www.invictus.law/our-people/upul-jayasuriya/

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web search NEUTRAL — President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioners on a pro bono basis. The full judgement can be read here. Print Friendly, PDF & Email.The SLMC recognizes MBBS graduates of selected ov…
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/saitm-students-ba…

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Claim 7: “In 2011, a 160-member contingent took off to Trinidad and Tobago to obtain hosting rights for Commonwealth Games spending Rs. 789 million.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 8: “A President has to be accompanied by security even going for a wedding.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 9: “The state should provide his security irrespective of whether he is going for an official duty or on a personal tour.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 10: “The Joint Opposition has raised concerns regarding the government’s proposal to setup a three-judge Trial-at-Bar to take up the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.”

CORROBORATED

The web search results indicate that the Joint Opposition raised concerns regarding the government's proposal to establish a Trial-at-Bar concerning the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This is supported by the context of the evidence provided.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Perry KC is a senior English criminal barrister. In January 2021 The Times repeated an assertion in its headline that he was "a source of shame" for prosecuting Hong Kong democracy campaigners. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Perry_(barrister)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Harry Heinz Schwarz (13 May 1924 – 5 February 2010) was a South African lawyer, statesman, and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa who eventually served as the Sout…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Schwarz

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States (in office from 2017 to 2021), began on February 9, 2021, and concluded with his acquittal on February 13. Trump h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_impeachment_trial_of_Do…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “Already a Right to Information (RTI) application has been filed to find out how much money was spent on sending a police team to the UK to inquire about Mr. Wickremesinghe’s visit.”

CORROBORATED

Two web search results explicitly confirm that an RTI application has been filed to ascertain the cost associated with sending a police team to the UK regarding Mr. Wickremesinghe's visit.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Already a Right to Information (RTI) application has been filed to find out how much money was spent on sending a police team to the UK to inquire about Mr. Wickremesinghe’s visit.
https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Ranil-Wickremesinghe-case…

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web search NEUTRAL — This is a portal to file RTI applications/first appeals online along with payment gateway. Payment can be made through internet banking, debit/credit cards of Master/Visa, RuPay cards and UPI.
https://rtionline.gov.in/

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web search NEUTRAL — This is a portal to file RTI application/first appeal online along with payment gateway. Fee payment can be made through Internet Banking.
https://rtionline.delhi.gov.in/

help

Claim 12: “But a judgment issued in 2022 (SC/FR/195/2022) indicates a loss of Rs. 650 billion to the state as a result of changing laws and not obtaining taxes from institutions and businessmen.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was gathered for this claim, and no web search results or Wikipedia entries provided any information regarding a 2022 judgment (SC/FR/195/2022) detailing a Rs. 650 billion loss.

schedule

Claim 13: “President’s Counsel S. T. Jayanaga said that when an individual is elected as a President, he is entitled to perks, benefits and responsibilities.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 14: “Special flights were purchased for this purpose.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 15: “Mr. Wickremesinghe toured to Cuba, USA and UK and his security detail accompanied him throughout this tour.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 16: “Jayasuriya further said that Ranil Wickremesinghe is being blamed for alleged misappropriation of Rs. 16.2 million.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

Although the claim references Upul Jayasuriya and misappropriation, the evidence provided for this specific claim index shows zero evidence count and no relevant search results were returned to confirm the figure or the accusation.

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Claim 17: “Since 1978, with the introduction of the executive presidency there are two Police units to provide security for VIPs and for Presidents.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 18: “All their expenses are borne by the state.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 19: “He further said that law enforcement authorities such as the Police operates according to the law.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim that Prof. G. L Peiris stated that law enforcement authorities, such as the Police, operate according to the law is mentioned in the context of the evidence, but the provided snippets do not contain enough independent corroboration to elevate the verdict beyond single_source, despite multiple sources referencing his statements.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of alumni of Royal College, Colombo in Sri Lanka, often called "Old Royalists".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Royal_College,_Colombo…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of notable Josephian, alumni of St. Joseph's College, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_St_Joseph's_College,_C…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The third season of The White Lotus, an American satirical comedy drama anthology television series, premiered on HBO on February 16, 2025. The season was greenlit in November 2022, and filmed in Bang…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Lotus_season_3

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 20: “The case against Ranil Wickremesinghe is the alleged misappropriation of state funds during a visit to Britain to attend his wife’s doctorate graduation”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results report allegations that Ranil Wickremesinghe misused state funds related to a private overseas trip to London in late 2023. One source specifically mentions the trip being disguised as part of an official tour, aligning with the claim's context.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe (Sinhala: මෛත්‍රී වික්‍රමසිංහ; born 11 August 1964) was the First Lady of Sri Lanka as the wife of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. She is a Sri Lankan academic, writ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithree_Wickremesinghe

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ranil may refer to Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President of Sri Lanka Ranil Jayawardena, Sri Lankan British Politician Ranil Abeynaike, Sri Lankan cricketer Ranil Dhammika, Sri Lankan cricketer Ran…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranil

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ranil Wickremesinghe (Sinhala: රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ; Tamil: ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க; born 24 March 1949) is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the ninth president of Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024. He has al…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranil_Wickremesinghe

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 21: “A complaint has also been lodged at the CIABOC.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.