Sri Lanka court allows bail for ex-president Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka court allows bail for ex-president Wickremesinghe

In a significant development, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The bail was granted after a lengthy hearing that lasted over six hours, during which the court considered the former president's health and the charges against him.

Wickremesinghe, 76, was arrested on August 26, 2025, following allegations of misusing state funds amounting to Sri Lankan rupees 16.6 million. The charges, filed under Section 386 and 388 of the penal code and under Section 5(1) of the Public Properties Act, carry a punishment of not less than one year but not exceeding 20 years in jail. Wickremesinghe was initially denied bail due to the lack of special circumstances presented by his defense lawyers [1].

However, after being remanded to Magazine Prison, Wickremesinghe's health deteriorated, leading to his transfer to a prison hospital and subsequently to the Colombo National Hospital. The court, considering his health condition, decided to grant bail. Wickremesinghe is currently receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital [2].

The bail conditions include a surety of Sri Lankan rupees 2 million and a ban on traveling outside the country without prior permission. The court also ordered Wickremesinghe to report to the police station every week and to appear in court whenever summoned [3].

Wickremesinghe's arrest and subsequent bail have sparked widespread protests and political unrest in Sri Lanka. Supporters of the former president have accused the government of a political witch hunt, while the government maintains that the arrest is part of its anti-corruption crackdown [4].

The bail decision marks a significant turn of events in the ongoing political and legal saga involving Wickremesinghe. The former president, who served from 2022 to 2024, is the first Sri Lankan former head of state to be arrested and the most prominent leader under investigation for corruption under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake [2].

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/sri-lankas-ex-president-wickremesinghe-shifted-to-prison-hospital-following-remand/articleshow/123469000.cms?from=mdr
[2] https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-08-26/protests-erupt-in-sri-lankas-capital-over-the-arrest-of-ex-president-wickremesinghe
[3] http://www.adaderana.lk/news/111870/panel-of-lawyers-for-ranil-attorney-generals-department-opposes-granting-bail
[4] https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-ex-prez-ranil-wickremesinghe-hospitalized-after-arrest-1755961172884