Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Saturday after being taken into custody on Friday. The Colombo National Hospital confirmed that Wickremesinghe is suffering from severe dehydration and is under close medical supervision. The arrest stems from allegations that he misused government funds for a personal foreign trip.
Wickremesinghe, aged 76, was remanded by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court until August 26th. He was subsequently transferred to the Magazine Remand Prison late Friday. The former president also has a medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes. Hospital sources indicate his condition is now stable.
A spokesperson from the remand prison reported that Wickremesinghe was transferred to the National Hospital due to the inadequacy of medical facilities at the prison to handle his deteriorating health. Opposition figures who visited Wickremesinghe earlier in the day stated he was in good spirits. However, his health declined overnight.
Wickremesinghe Remained Politically Active After Election Loss
Despite losing the presidential election to Anura Kumara Dissanayake in September, Wickremesinghe remained active in political circles, despite not holding any official post. Dissanayake has been campaigning against corruption in Sri Lanka, which led to Wickremesinghe’s arrest.
The United National Party (UNP), of which Wickremesinghe is a member, holds 2 seats in the 225-member parliament. The UNP suggests the government views the former president as a threat. UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala stated in Colombo that the party fears Wickremesinghe might seek to return to power, which they believe is the motivation behind these actions.
Details of Wickremesinghe’s Custody
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleges Wickremesinghe misused government resources during a trip to London in September 2023, including covering the expenses of his private security personnel with government funds. In September 2023, Wickremesinghe attended the G77 conference in Havana, Cuba. On his return, he stopped in London to attend his wife’s convocation ceremony. The CID claims this trip was undertaken for personal reasons rather than official business, with the costs still borne by the state.