Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was admitted to the ICU on Saturday after being taken into custody on Friday. The Colombo National Hospital reported that Wickremesinghe is being treated for severe dehydration and is under close observation. The charges against Wickremesinghe involve the alleged misuse of government funds for a private international trip.
The 76-year-old Wickremesinghe was remanded by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court until August 26th. He was later transferred to the Magazine Remand Prison on Friday evening. Wickremesinghe is also reported to have pre-existing conditions including high blood pressure and diabetes. Hospital sources have indicated that his condition has stabilized.
A remand prison spokesperson said Wickremesinghe was moved to the National Hospital because the prison’s medical facilities couldn’t handle his deteriorating health. Opposition figures who met with Wickremesinghe earlier in the day said he was in good spirits, but his health worsened overnight.
Wickremesinghe Remained Active After Losing Election
Even after losing the September presidential election to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Wickremesinghe remained politically active, despite no longer holding office. Dissanayake has been campaigning against corruption in Sri Lanka, leading to Wickremesinghe’s arrest.
The United National Party (UNP), which Wickremesinghe is a part of, holds two seats in the 225-member parliament. The UNP has stated its belief that the government feels threatened by the former president. UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala stated in Colombo that they are concerned Wickremesinghe may attempt to regain power, which they believe is the reason behind the current actions.
Why Was Wickremesinghe Detained?
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleges that Wickremesinghe misused government resources during a September 2023 trip to London, including covering his private security costs 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 graduation ceremony. The CID alleges the trip was for personal reasons but paid for by the government.