Ranil Wickremesinghe, the 76-year-old former president of Sri Lanka, was transferred to the Magazine Remand Prison late on Friday night under the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, which had directed that he be held in custody until August 26. Just a day later, however, his health condition worsened, forcing authorities to rush him to the intensive care unit of a state hospital. The urgency of this transfer came after Wickremesinghe was officially charged with the misuse of government funds for foreign travel, an allegation that has ignited significant political debate across the nation.
Doctors at the Colombo National Hospital revealed that Wickremesinghe was severely dehydrated at the time of his admission and required careful and continuous monitoring. According to Deputy Director-General Rukshan Bellana, dehydration in his case was particularly dangerous given his medical background. Wickremesinghe suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that place him at greater risk of serious complications. Bellana explained that the former president had to be kept under strict observation to stabilize his condition and prevent the possibility of further health deterioration.
While his health situation had appeared critical, Bellana noted that his condition was ultimately stabilized after immediate medical intervention. Prison authorities stated that the medical unit within the facility was not adequately equipped to deal with his condition, making it necessary to transfer him to the country’s main state hospital for proper treatment. Interestingly, before this incident, opposition legislators who had visited him earlier in prison claimed that Wickremesinghe seemed to be in reasonably good spirits despite the circumstances of his incarceration.
Political reactions to his arrest have been strong, with opposition leaders accusing the government of targeting Wickremesinghe out of fear of his potential political resurgence. Many opposition figures allege that his imprisonment is less about justice and more about neutralizing him as a rival who could once again rise to power. Wickremesinghe, who lost the last presidential election in September to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has continued to remain politically active, even without holding an official elected position.
His arrest on Friday was widely seen as part of President Dissanayake’s broader campaign to address the deep-rooted corruption that has plagued Sri Lanka for decades. The country is still recovering from its devastating economic collapse in 2022, which had triggered mass protests and unprecedented political change. Wickremesinghe himself came to power in July 2022, following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who stepped down after facing massive public demonstrations during the peak of the crisis.
Several political voices have come forward in defense of Wickremesinghe. Nalin Bandara, a parliamentarian from the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stated after visiting the former leader in prison that Wickremesinghe had called upon opposition parties to unite and challenge the leftist government of Dissanayake. According to Bandara, Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for collective action to resist what he described as oppressive tactics by the ruling administration.
Members of Wickremesinghe’s own party, the United National Party (UNP), echoed similar sentiments. With only two seats in the 225-member parliament, the UNP remains a minor presence, but its leaders argue that the current government feels threatened by Wickremesinghe’s influence. UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala went so far as to say that the arrest was carried out out of fear that Wickremesinghe could once again reclaim political power.
The charges against him stem from allegations that he diverted state funds to cover expenses for a private trip to the United Kingdom in September 2023. The visit coincided with his return from attending the G77 summit in Havana and the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During this detour, Wickremesinghe had attended an event where his wife, Maithree, was honored with an honorary professorship by the University of Wolverhampton. Authorities estimate that the alleged misuse of state funds amounted to 16.6 million rupees, or around $55,000.
If convicted, Wickremesinghe could face severe consequences, including up to 20 years of imprisonment along with a fine that may be as much as three times the value of the misused funds. However, the former president has consistently denied the accusations, maintaining that his wife’s travel costs were personally covered and that no government resources were utilized for the trip. His defense highlights a larger political context, suggesting that the charges may be part of an orchestrated effort to discredit him.
The unfolding case has already intensified political polarization in Sri Lanka. For supporters of Dissanayake, it represents a firm step in combating corruption and holding former leaders accountable. For Wickremesinghe’s allies, it is a clear indication of a political vendetta aimed at silencing a seasoned leader who continues to wield influence despite his electoral defeat. As the legal proceedings continue and Wickremesinghe’s health remains under close medical supervision, the case is poised to remain at the center of Sri Lanka’s political discourse in the weeks ahead.
