Fresh questions have surfaced over former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 2023 visit to the United Kingdom after political activist OshalaHerath obtained official correspondence from University of Wolverhampton through the UK’s Freedom of Information Act.
Documents released by the university and circulated publicly show that the institution confirmed it held information relating to the visit and disclosed the material in full following Herath’s request.
According to the university’s written response dated 27 February 2026, the invitation associated with the visit was linked to a luncheon event connected to Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, the former president’s wife, who was receiving academic recognition during a university ceremony.
The response from the university’s Information Rights Office states:
“In accordance with Section 1(1)(a) of the FOIA, I can confirm that the requested information is held by the University of Wolverhampton in full. I have decided to disclose the requested information in full.”
The same correspondence clarifies the nature of the invitation:
“The invitation was for a luncheon held for Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe.”
Significantly, the university also indicated that it does not hold records of formal meetings, memoranda of understanding, or diplomatic discussions linked to the visit.
When asked whether additional documentation existed relating to meetings attributed to the former president’s visit, the university replied that no other documents were held.
The institution also stated that the only hospitality recorded was a lunch provided by the university.
The disclosure has taken on political significance in Sri Lanka because the circumstances of the London visit have previously been scrutinised in connection with questions over whether public funds were used for travel related to what critics argue may have been a largely personal engagement.
Herath, who filed the FOI request, has argued that the documents demonstrate how transparency mechanisms in the United Kingdom can produce answers quickly through written requests rather than costly official investigations abroad.
The issue now returns to Colombo’s political arena, where the debate surrounding the visit – and how it was classified – continues to echo through discussions on public accountability and state expenditure.
Document Source:
Freedom of Information response issued by the University of Wolverhampton, 27 February 2026.
