Academics, activists express concern after FCID summons Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe

A group of academics, journalists, feminist activists, and lawyers has raised alarms about the news that former First Lady Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has received a summons from the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This summons is reportedly part of an investigation related to her husband, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, concerning alleged improper use of public funds for attending a ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton, where Prof. Wickremesinghe received an Honorary Professorship. The group highlighted that this honor was given in acknowledgment of her significant work in research, training, and policy related to gender equity and equality. The statement pointed out that the distinction was based on her individual academic success and her long-time contributions to the field. Prof. Wickremesinghe serves as Chair and Senior Professor of English at the University of Kelaniya and is the founding Director of its Centre for Gender Studies. With over thirty years of experience in teaching and research, she has made important contributions to the development of gender equality policies and training in Sri Lanka and beyond. Her doctoral research, titled "Making Meaning of Meaning-making: A Case Study of Feminist Research Methodology in Sri Lanka" (Institute of Education, University of London, 2007), has gained widespread recognition and has been cited in various publications, including by Routledge. She has also held positions on numerous advisory committees, such as the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ‘Commonwealth Says No More’ initiative. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Trustees of the Asian University for Women and has played a significant role in academic editorial work, training, and institutional growth. The Centre for Gender Studies she founded at the University of Kelaniya has inspired the creation of similar centers in universities across Sri Lanka. The statement concluded that her accomplishments should be a source of national pride instead of scorn or neglect. It emphasized that Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe is a respected and distinguished independent scholar.