Ranil Granted Bail on Medical Grounds Amid Rs. 16.6M Misuse Allegations

by Zulfick Farzan 26-08-2025 | 4:54 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in remand custody over allegations of misusing public funds, has been granted bail by the court, following detailed submissions highlighting his critical health condition.

The court ordered his release on three personal sureties of Rs. 5 Million each, totaling Rs. 15 million. The bail was granted following submissions from both the prosecution and defense, including arguments citing Wickremesinghe’s critical health condition.

Wickremesinghe is accused of misappropriating Rs. 16.6 million in state funds to undertake a private overseas visit to the United Kingdom, reportedly to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony.

The trip, which took place in September 2023, allegedly involved ten individuals and was funded by public money.

During court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris argued that the invitation letter presented by Wickremesinghe lacked legal validity. He urged the court not to grant bail until the conclusion of the trial.

However, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratna, appearing for Wickremesinghe, presented a compelling case for bail on humanitarian and medical grounds.

He revealed that the former president 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 location of the blockage, surgery is not an option, and doctors have recommended treatment under close medical supervision.

In addition to his heart condition, Wickremesinghe is also battling kidney disease, advanced diabetes, a serious pancreatic condition, critically low sodium levels, high blood pressure, and lung complications that have weakened his immune system.

Premaratna described the situation as “beyond abnormal,” stating that the combination of multiple serious illnesses poses a grave threat to Wickremesinghe’s life. The court, taking these exceptional medical circumstances into account, granted bail.