COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — More than 1,000 supporters of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe protested his arrest in Colombo on Tuesday, just before a crucial hearing to determine whether he would be granted bail. Wickremesinghe faces accusations of misusing public funds during his presidency, which lasted from 2022 to 2024.
He was arrested last Friday for allegedly using public resources to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London following an official visit to the United States in 2023. A court ordered his detention until the hearing on Tuesday.
The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation among opposition figures and politicians, who argue that it reflects a political witch hunt aimed at undermining democracy in Sri Lanka. Supporters and opposition activists congregated on the main roads leading to the Magistrates’ Court to voice their discontent.
Demonstrators donned black attire and waved black flags while chanting slogans denouncing Wickremesinghe's arrest. Many displayed banners with messages such as “Immediately release ex-president Ranil Wickremesinghe.” One protester, 69-year-old Samarasiri Kuruwitaarachchi, stated that the government has failed to fulfill promises made during last year’s elections and is intent on persecuting political opponents. “We condemn the arrest of Wickremesinghe who has done so much for the country,” he emphasized. “We gathered here to demand justice for him.”
In response, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake dismissed claims that the arrest was politically motivated, asserting that it was conducted in accordance with the nation’s laws. He informed local media that the government is obliged to investigate alleged malpractices by previous administrations, ensuring that the law is enforced evenly.
Wickremesinghe's arrest marks him as the first former head of state in Sri Lanka to be detained, amidst a broader investigation into corruption under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office in 2024 on a platform that promised to combat corruption. Over a dozen former high-ranking officials and political leaders are currently being investigated for various alleged misdeeds.
Wickremesinghe’s political party defended him, stating he attended his wife’s graduation on an invitation received in his official capacity. Presently located in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital due to dehydration and related health issues, Wickremesinghe is unlikely to appear in court. According to prison spokesperson Jagath Weerasinghe, arrangements are being made to connect him to the court virtually.
Wickremesinghe was admitted to the National Hospital on Saturday after experiencing significant health complications. Hospital Director Dr. Pradeep Wijesinghe disclosed that his condition has stabilized but that he will remain under close supervision in the ICU.
Wickremesinghe rose to power amid Sri Lanka’s economic turmoil, a crisis that led to the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022. His administration has been credited with stabilizing the economy, evidenced by a decrease in inflation, a strengthening local currency, and an increase in foreign reserves. However, his government faced significant public backlash due to stringent austerity measures.
