Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Granted Temporary Release on Medical Grounds
- Jatinder Singh
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor
J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested last week on allegations of misusing state funds, has been granted temporary release on medical grounds after being hospitalized with complications related to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Wickremesinghe’s arrest on August 22 marked a historic first, making him the only former Sri Lankan head of state to be taken into custody. He stands accused of misusing approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds during a 2023 trip to the United Kingdom, where his wife, First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, was awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Wolverhampton.
While critics argue the trip was a personal event, supporters maintain it was an official academic-diplomatic engagement, pointing out that the President met with university leaders to discuss student exchanges, scholarships, and academic cooperation. International media reported the event as a Sri Lankan achievement, not a private celebration.
Following his arrest, Wickremesinghe was admitted to Colombo National Hospital, where doctors recommended ICU care. His legal team confirmed that he will continue to face the court process, but under medical supervision.
Political Reactions
The case has sharply divided Sri Lanka’s political and public opinion. Supporters describe the arrest as political revenge, while government representatives insist it reflects the principle that no one is above the law. Protests have erupted in Colombo, with crowds demanding his release and highlighting his role in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy during its worst financial crisis in 2022–2023.
Wickremesinghe, credited internationally for securing IMF support and rebuilding reserves during the crisis, remains one of the most experienced leaders in Sri Lankan politics, having served six times as Prime Minister and once as President.
The Road Ahead
With his temporary release, Wickremesinghe has signaled resilience and determination to fight back against the charges. Supporters have rallied around him, echoing the sentiment that justice must be fair, transparent, and equal — applied consistently across all political leaders, not selectively.acy, or public service. But in these rare cases, they also stand as scholars and intellectuals who have earned the highest level of academic distinction. Their stories remind the world that the pursuit of knowledge can exist alongside the responsibilities of representing a country at the highest level.
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