A heavy security presence enveloped the Colombo Fort magistrate’s court on Tuesday as the corruption case involving former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe was set to be heard in the afternoon, according to police reports. Access to three roads leading to the court has been restricted to control movement in the area, they said.
Prison authorities have confirmed that the 76-year-old Wickremesinghe, currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Colombo National Hospital, will not be appearing in court. "He will not be taken to court in his present health condition. If the court decides, we will arrange for his participation through a Zoom call," said prison spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe.
The former president was initially detained at the main Magazine Remand prison late on Friday night following his court remand until August 26. Having first been admitted to the prison hospital, he was later shifted to the National Hospital ICU after suffering from dehydration-related health issues.
Wickremesinghe faces accusations of misusing LKR 16.6 million for a private trip to the UK in 2023, during which he attended his wife Maithree's university convocation. He has disputed the allegations, asserting that the visit was official, citing the invitation extended to him in his capacity as Sri Lanka’s president.
He was apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last Friday after nearly five hours of questioning, marking the first instance in post-independence Sri Lankan history where a sitting or former head of state was taken into custody. Wickremesinghe's aides were previously interrogated regarding the matter.
Wickremesinghe served as president from July 2022 to September 2024. His arrest has drawn significant attention both domestically and internationally.
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