Former president Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe should remain under intensive care at the Colombo National Hospital for about two more days, according to a recommendation from specialist doctors, says Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the hospital.

Speaking at a press conference this morning (27), Dr. Bellana stated that since the former president is no longer a detainee, he is free to seek treatment from his personal physician.

Dr. Bellana noted that the severe dehydration Wickremesinghe suffered is now subsiding with ongoing treatment. He emphasized that the National Hospital provides equal service to all patients, treating everyone who comes for care equally.

Regarding the committee formed to monitor the former president's health, Dr. Bellana said he had no connection to its appointment.

"The report yesterday showed that three-fourths of his coronary artery is blocked," Dr. Bellana said. "I stated that he would need further treatment, and it's better for him to get it soon. Now that he has been granted bail, he has the complete freedom to seek treatment at a private hospital. According to specialist doctors, he will need to stay for another day or two. The acute issue of dehydration is gradually receding, but he will need to get treatment for the other identified illnesses soon. There is a risk if he does not receive prompt treatment."

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and remanded on Friday (22), has been granted bail, Ada Derana reporter said.

The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura.

The former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been released on three surety bails amounting to Rs. 5 million each.

The situation around the courthouse is now peaceful, though people are still gathered in the area. Security remains tight. It is reported that the public is keenly watching to see what happens.

The case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in remand custody under the Public Property Act, has been called before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court.

The case was called before Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura.

However, the suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was not produced in court.

The Attorney General's Department is opposing bail for Wickremesinghe. Appearing for the AG's Department, Additional Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris stated that it has not yet been confirmed whether the invitation Wickremesinghe received from England was an official one.

President's Counsel Thilak Marapana, speaking on behalf of the defense, argued in court that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe's travel expenses for this trip were paid from the Presidential allocation.

He further stated that the audit officer of the President's Secretariat could not audit these expenses, and an audit by the National Audit Office did not reveal any misuse of funds.

President's Counsels Thilak Marapana and Anuja Premaratne, along with a team of lawyers, appeared for the suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The hearing of the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and remanded over the alleged misuse of state funds has commenced at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

The people who will face legal action in the future are the ones who are against Ranil's arrest." - NPP MP Ravindra Bandara.

Security has been beefed up at the Colombo National Hospital and surrounding areas from this morning (26), Ada Derana reporter said.

This comes after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 22, in connection with allegations under the Public Property Act related to the misuse of state funds. He was ordered by court to be remanded until today.

However, due to his medical condition, he was first admitted to the Prison Hospital on Friday. Based on medical recommendations, he was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Colombo National Hospital the following day.

As of now, the former President continues to receive treatment in the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital.

Security has also been beefed up adjacent to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court premises.

Accordingly, Police and Special Task Force personnel have been deployed to the area.

This is in anticipation of large crowds converging to the court premises ahead of the hearing of a case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

A group of senior leaders from the United National Party (UNP) visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya this morning (26) to meet with the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, and seek his blessings.

During the meeting, the party's Deputy Leader, Ruwan Wijewardene, and General Secretary, Thalatha Atukorala, discussed the current political and economic situation in the country, as well as the developments regarding former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mahanayaka Thero's blessings have also been sought for the current health condition of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Security has been tightened around the Fort Magistrate's Court today as the case involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to be heard.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is unlikely to be produced in court today (26) as doctors have recommended that he remain under intensive medical observation, according to Prisons Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe.

Mr. Weerasinghe added that if the Magistrate orders Wickremesinghe to be produced for legal proceedings via Zoom technology, arrangements can be made for that as well.

The case against former President Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on charges under the Public Property Act for the misuse of state funds, is set to be called before the Fort Magistrate's Court today.

The former president was arrested on the 22nd and ordered to be remanded until today.

Considering his health condition, he was first admitted to the prison hospital and was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital on the recommendation of doctors.

Wickremesinghe is currently receiving treatment in the ICU. A committee of five specialist doctors is monitoring his health, and a recommendation on whether he can be produced in court today is expected to be made by them.

(Colombo) The situation around the Fort Magistrate's Court is currently peaceful, but a police officer on security duty was injured after being hit by a stone thrown from a crowd of protesters.

The officer sustained minor injuries. Despite the incident, the area is now calm, although a crowd of people remains gathered around the court. Security has been heavily deployed, and it is reported that the public is keenly observing the proceedings.

The Prime Minister’s Office has rejected a news report by Hiru News that claimed Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya visited former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the hospital.

In a clarification statement, officials from the Prime Minister's Office said the report, which alleged that the Prime Minister had visited the hospital with former First Lady Maithri Wickremesinghe, was inaccurate.

The office expressed regret over the publication of the false news report and urged the media institution to issue a correction.

The report was published while former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, after being remanded for the alleged misuse of state funds for a personal overseas trip. (NewsCenter)

(Colombo- Sri Lanka)** A group of United National Party leaders visited the Indian High Commission in Colombo last night to brief officials about the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.**

Among the politicians who attended the meeting were G. L. Peiris, Thalatha Atukorale, and Ali Sabry.

It is also reported that other diplomatic missions will be briefed on the matter in the coming days.

Meanwhile, former Norwegian special peace envoy Erik Solheim and Indian politician Shashi Tharoor have issued messages in support of calls to grant the former president his freedom and due respect.

In an X post, former Norwegian special peace envoy Erik Solheim stated that he joins the call for the immediate release of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He pointed out that Wickremesinghe was the only leader who stepped forward to rescue the country from the economic and political abyss Sri Lanka faced in 2022.

He added that the accusations against Ranil are baseless and that even if they were true, they would not be considered a criminal offense or a wrongdoing in Europe.

While fully supporting the Sri Lankan government’s massive anti-corruption program, Erik Solheim advised the government to focus on real issues.

Similarly, Indian politician Shashi Tharoor also expressed his concern over the detention of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in an X post.

He further requested that, in consideration of his decades of service to the nation, the former president be treated with the respect and dignity he deserves.

(Colombo-Sri Lanka) Former Peace Envoy Urges Immediate Release of Ranil Wickremesinghe Erik Solheim, a former Norwegian peace envoy to Sri Lanka and a respected diplomat, has called for the immediate release of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, citing serious concerns over his health while in detention.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Solheim stated that he joins with leaders from Sri Lanka, South Asia, and across the globe in demanding Wickremesinghe's release. He praised the former president's leadership during Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic and political crisis, noting that Wickremesinghe "stood up to save Sri Lanka when the nation reached rock bottom."

Solheim described the accusations against Wickremesinghe as "without merit," arguing that even if they were true, they "would not constitute any criminal or even unacceptable behavior in Europe."

While expressing his full support for Sri Lanka's anti-corruption campaign, Solheim urged authorities to focus on "real issues" instead of targeting Wickremesinghe.

Wickremesinghe, who served as Sri Lanka's head of state from 2022 to 2024, was arrested earlier this week on allegations of misusing government funds to attend a university ceremony in London in 2023. His arrest has drawn significant local and international attention, with a number of political leaders and diplomats expressing their solidarity and concern.

According to prison sources, eight prison officers, including two jailers, have been deployed armed for the security of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been admitted to the intensive care unit at Colombo National Hospital.

In addition, the police headquarters states that a special police security detail has been deployed around the hospital.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently receiving treatment under intensive medical supervision at the National Hospital in Colombo, says Deputy Director of Colombo National Hospital, Mr. Rukshan Bellana.

The doctor further explained that the coma condition resulted from complications caused by electrical disturbances and lack of drinking water during the several hours he spent in the courtroom.

All major opposition political parties have come together to hold a press conference against the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, and several other opposition leaders are attending this press conference.

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was transferred from the Prison Hospital to the Colombo National Hospital, has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

It is reported that the former President has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to dehydration.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was receiving treatment at the prison hospital, has been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital.

The former president was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following a recommendation made by prison doctors who examined his medical condition.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also arrived at the prison hospital a short while ago to check on the well-being of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

It is reported that after inquiring about Wickremesinghe's health and holding a preliminary discussion about the current situation, Rajapaksa left the premises.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura ordered that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department and produced in court, be remanded until the 26th. (NewsCenter)

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has visited former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to inquire about his well-being.

Meanwhile, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the prison hospital after being remanded. This was done on medical advice. It is reported that the former president was admitted to the prison hospital yesterday (22).

It is reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the prison hospital due to high blood pressure and an elevated sugar level.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court yesterday (22) ordered the remand of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and produced in court by the Criminal Investigation Department, until the 26th. Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued this order after considering the facts presented by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, who appeared for the Criminal Investigation Department, and President's Counsel Anuja Premaratne, along with other lawyers who appeared for the suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This is the first time in the country's history that an executive president has been arrested. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday (22) afternoon. This happened when he appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday morning to give a statement related to an investigation being conducted by the department.

The Criminal Investigation Department began an investigation and reported the facts to the Fort Magistrate's Court on June 24 regarding former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to London to attend his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe's, graduation ceremony as a private trip using government funds during his tenure. Following this, the Criminal Investigation Department recorded statements from Mrs. Sandra Perera, who served as the former President's private secretary, and Mr. Saman Ekanayake, the former Presidential Secretary, in relation to the investigation.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been remanded until August 26 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

He was escorted to the court premises by CID officers under heavy security, and produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Former President Wickremesinghe was arrested today (22) after arriving at the CID to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Accordingly, it is further stated that the investigation pertains to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to London to attend a graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, during his tenure as President, allegedly using state funds.

The CID had earlier presented evidence related to the case before the Fort Magistrate’s Court on June 24.

Statements were subsequently recorded from Sandra Perera, who served as the former President’s private secretary, and from former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake.

In this context, the CID summoned Wickremesinghe to provide a statement regarding the matter. He arrived at the CID headquarters at around 9 a.m. today, and was taken into custody following the recording of the statement.

Wickremesinghe was taken into custody for allegedly “misusing government funds” after being questioned about a September 2023 visit to London to attend a ceremony for his wife at a British university while he was head of state.

Ranil Wickremesinghe had stopped in London in 2023 on his way back from Havana, where he attended a G77 summit.

He and his wife, Maithree, attended a University of Wolverhampton ceremony.

Wickremesinghe had maintained that his wife met her own travel expenses and that no state funds were used.

However, the Criminal Investigation Department of the police alleged that Wickremesinghe used government money for his travel on a private visit and that the state also paid his bodyguards.

In a significant development, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and brought to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. He was escorted to the court under heavy security by CID officers.

Arrest and Investigation Wickremesinghe was arrested earlier today after he arrived at the CID headquarters to provide a statement regarding an ongoing investigation. The inquiry centers on allegations that he used state funds for a trip to London while he was president to attend his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe's, graduation ceremony.

Prior Developments The CID had previously presented evidence related to this case to the Fort Magistrate's Court on June 24. Since then, statements were recorded from two key officials who served under the former president: his private secretary, Sandra Perera, and former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake.

Wickremesinghe's arrest followed the recording of his statement at the CID headquarters, where he had arrived around 9 a.m. today.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He was arrested after arriving at the CID to record a statement today in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Accordingly, it is further stated that the investigation pertains to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to London to attend a graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, during his tenure as President, allegedly using state funds.