BREAKING: Court Grants Bail to Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in remand custody over allegations of misusing public funds, has been granted bail by the court.

Wickremesinghe was accused of misappropriating Rs. 16.6 million in state funds to undertake a private overseas visit.

Submission by the Prosecution:

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris informed court today (26) that the invitation letter presented by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe holds no legal validity.

Making submissions before the court, ASG Peiris argued that the document in question cannot be accepted as a legitimate legal instrument.

He further requested that bail not be granted to Wickremesinghe until the conclusion of the ongoing trial.

This letter became central to the legal case because Wickremesinghe is accused of misusing Rs. 16.6 million in public funds to undertake what authorities allege was a private overseas visit.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Friday (22) following questioning over a controversial foreign trip allegedly funded by public money.

The former President is suspected of spending approximately Rs. 16.9 million in government funds to travel to the United Kingdom to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony.

The trip reportedly took place on September 22 and 23, 2023, and included ten individuals accompanying Wickremesinghe.

Defence Submission:

President's Counsel Anuja Premaratna, appearing for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, made detailed submissions in court today (26) outlining the critical health condition of his client, urging that bail be granted on humanitarian and medical grounds.

Premaratna revealed that Wickremesinghe is suffering from a life-threatening cardiac condition, with three out of four major coronary arteries blocked, including one that is 100% obstructed.

Due to the proximity of the blockage to the heart, surgical intervention is not possible, and doctors have recommended treatment under close medical supervision.

In addition to the cardiac complications, Wickremesinghe is also battling kidney disease, advanced diabetes, and a serious condition in the upper pancreas.

His sodium levels are critically low, and he is diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Furthermore, his lungs are compromised, resulting in a weakened immune system and reduced immunity.

Premaratna emphasized that Wickremesinghe’s condition is not just abnormal—it is beyond abnormal, as he is afflicted with multiple serious illnesses simultaneously, posing a grave threat to his life.

Given the extraordinary medical circumstances, the defense requested that the court consider these facts as exceptional grounds and grant bail accordingly.