Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem has raised concerns over the manner in which former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s arrest was handled, pointing out that the news was announced in advance by a YouTuber.
Speaking in Parliament, the former minister noted that Wickremesinghe was arrested by CID officers after giving a statement, but claimed the development had already been “virtually announced” online beforehand.
“A few days ago, there was a YouTuber who was showing his affection in a very inappropriate way, in my opinion. But then this particular YouTuber also went on record virtually announcing that the former President would be arrested. So, it appears there’s an inspired leak. This worries us,” Hakeem said.
He further explained that normally, when statements are recorded by police, a ‘B report’ is filed before the magistrate. “You have a basic courtesy. You give it to a former head of state. Then if the magistrate felt right, his attorneys could have made submissions and the magistrate could have decided whether to remand them or bail him out,” he added.
Hakeem emphasized that while everyone should be treated equally before the law, a former head of state deserves at least a minimum level of courtesy in legal proceedings.
