Three former presidents of Sri Lanka have expressed their disapproval regarding the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe was arrested on August 22 in connection with a case being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the main investigative body of the Sri Lankan police. He was arrested on suspicion of misusing state property and funds. On the same day, a court in the country ordered him to be remanded for four days. The court ordered him to be held in prison until August 26.
While in prison, Wickremesinghe faced health issues and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Colombo National Hospital for treatments that could not be provided at the prison hospital. Doctors reported that Wickremesinghe was severely dehydrated and had very high blood pressure. They also noted that his diabetes complications had worsened.
Three former presidents of Sri Lanka – Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Maithripala Sirisena – have spoken in defense of Wickremesinghe’s arrest. They have described the arrest as a well-planned attack against democracy. Former President Kumaratunga, 80, said that what we are witnessing today is an attack aimed at slaughtering the principles of democracy. She stated that Wickremesinghe’s arrest is not just about him but affects the rights of all citizens. She condemned such actions and said that every political leader should speak out against it.
Rajapaksa, 79, who succeeded Kumaratunga as president, also expressed solidarity with Wickremesinghe. He visited Wickremesinghe in jail shortly before he was taken to the hospital. Additionally, Sirisena, 73, described Wickremesinghe’s arrest as unjust and politically motivated. He said that the current scenario shows efforts to silence opposition to the new government, likening it to closing the lid on democracy.
Wickremesinghe’s own political party, the United National Party (UNP), stated that the allegations against him stem from fears of his potential return to power. Wickremesinghe contested against the current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the Sri Lankan presidential election held last September. Although unsuccessful in the election, Wickremesinghe remains active in the political arena.
The CID is reportedly investigating a matter related to a personal trip Wickremesinghe made to London while serving as President. On the morning of his arrest, he had appeared before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of Sri Lanka to provide a statement for the investigation.
According to the CID report submitted to the court, Wickremesinghe traveled to London to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony. The report alleges that Wickremesinghe spent 16.9 million Sri Lankan rupees, or approximately 58,176 US dollars, from state funds for this trip in September 2023. The report also notes that 10 other individuals accompanied him on this trip. It mentions that Wickremesinghe visited London during a trip that included visits to Cuba and the United States.
