A Sri Lankan court granted bail to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday, following his arrest and remand over allegations of misusing public funds. The decision came during a virtual hearing conducted via Zoom, as the 76-year-old joined from the Intensive Care Unit of Colombo National Hospital, where he was admitted due to health complications.
Wickremesinghe was detained last Friday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and held at Magazine Remand Prison after the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Nilupuli Lankapura, initially denied bail. The charges stem from a 2023 trip to the UK, where he allegedly used LKR 16.6 million (approximately $55,000) in state funds to attend his wife Maithree Wickremesinghe’s university convocation at the University of Wolverhampton.
The former president, who led Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024, insists the visit was official, supported by an invitation from the university addressed to him as head of state. However, the CID alleges the trip was personal, citing communications from the Sri Lankan High Commission in London labeling it as private. An invitation letter presented by Wickremesinghe’s legal team was deemed legally unacceptable by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, who argued against bail until the case concludes.
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Wickremesinghe’s health deteriorated in custody, with severe dehydration and complications from diabetes and high blood pressure prompting his transfer to the ICU. Supporters, including opposition leaders like Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa, visited him, condemning the arrest as politically motivated.
The case, filed under the Public Property Act and Penal Code sections, marks the first arrest of a former Sri Lankan president, drawing international attention.Critics, including global figures like Eric Solheim, argue the charges lack merit and reflect a vindictive political culture. As investigations continue, the case underscores tensions between Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption drive under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and accusations of targeting political rivals.
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