Arrest Triggers Hospitalization Over Health Crisis
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, aged 76, was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following his arrest on charges of misusing public funds. Arrested on August 22, he was remanded the next day and promptly suffered acute dehydration, exacerbated by diabetes and high blood pressure, leading to emergency hospitalization. He was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), where his condition has since stabilised.
Facing Serious Corruption Allegations
Wickremesinghe is accused of misappropriating approximately 16.6 million rupees (roughly £41,000) to fund a UK trip in September 2023, nominally to attend a ceremony bestowing his wife an honorary professorship at the University of Wolverhampton. He denies the allegations, insisting his wife paid her own expenses. The charges carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Political Weight of the Arrest
This marks the first time Sri Lanka has arrested a former head of state on corruption charges. A long-time political figure and six-time Prime Minister, Wickremesinghe briefly served as President during a period of national economic crisis before losing the office in a 2024 election to Anura Kumara Dissanayake. His arrest is seen by some as part of the current administration’s anti-corruption campaign, though allies argue it may also be politically motivated.
Legal Proceedings and Institutional Response
Wickremesinghe was remanded until August 26, following his appearance at the Colombo Fort magistrate’s court. Due to his medical needs, he was transferred from the prison medical facility to a state hospital better equipped to manage his condition. The authorities and hospital have stayed tight-lipped, while the United National Party (UNP), his political faction, has criticized the proceedings as politically influenced.
A Broader Implication for Sri Lankan Politics
This incident reflects Sri Lanka’s intensifying efforts to tackle corruption and signal accountability at the highest levels. It may also foreshadow a new chapter of judicial activism amidst an increasingly polarized political environment.
