Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was remanded on charges of misappropriating public funds, was granted bail today (26) by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
Wickremesinghe is accused of misusing Rs. 16.6 million in state funds to finance a private foreign trip to London.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed court that the invitation letter submitted by Wickremesinghe, presented as justification for the trip, was not legally valid. He emphasized that the document could not be considered a legitimate legal instrument, undermining the claim that the controversial visit was an official state trip.
Peiris further argued that the evidence substantiates the charge of spending Rs. 16.6 million of public money on a single night. He requested that bail not be granted until the conclusion of the trial.
Appearing on behalf of Wickremesinghe, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne outlined the former president’s critical health condition and requested bail on humanitarian and medical grounds. Premaratne revealed that Wickremesinghe suffers from a life-threatening heart condition, with three of his four main coronary arteries blocked—one completely. Doctors have ruled out surgical intervention due to the location of the blockage and have recommended treatment under close medical supervision.
In addition, Wickremesinghe is battling kidney disease, diabetes, and a serious condition of the upper pancreas. He also suffers from high blood pressure, dangerously low sodium levels, and weakened lung function, which has severely compromised his immune system.
Premaratne stressed that these overlapping conditions pose a severe threat to Wickremesinghe’s life, qualifying as exceptional circumstances warranting bail.
After considering the arguments, Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura granted bail to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
