Colombo (LNW): Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been remanded on allegations of using state funds for a private trip while in office, is being held on land belonging to the Wickremesinghe family, says United National Party Chairman and former Minister Vajira Abeywardena.
“Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken into custody and remanded in the Welikada Prison, which stands on 43 acres of land that once belonged to his family—more specifically, to his wife, Helena Wijewardena. So, the true owners of that property are none other than Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and members of his family. Therefore, this too is an unfortunate twist of fate.”
He expressed these views today (27) at a press conference held at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political office on Flower Road, Colombo.
“No impact on President Anura”
When asked by a journalist whether the situation faced by Ranil Wickremesinghe would also affect current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Vajira Abeywardena stated that, according to the Constitution, no such impact would fall upon President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Further clarifying the matter, the UNP Chairman said:
“The actions carried out by the President under his official powers are, according to Article 33 of the Constitution, functions vested in him. Under Article 33(ඌ), the President has the authority to perform all acts that he is required to carry out or is empowered to carry out under the Constitution, any written law, or regulations, provided they are not contrary to the law, as well as actions permitted under international law, customs, or usage. Therefore, the same authority I mentioned is vested in the current President, Mr. Anura Kumara. It is not the relevant country that decides whether President Anura Kumara travels to Delhi, Washington, or anywhere else in the world—it is President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who makes that decision. Accordingly, in no way will the issue you raised have any impact on the current President.”
“The past week was a dark chapter in Sri Lanka’s history”
Continuing his remarks at the press conference, the UNP Chairman stated that the past week should be regarded as a period that marked a historic black mark for Sri Lanka.
Vajira Abeywardena further noted:
“In particular, I wish to remind you that yesterday the International Democratic Union issued a statement on Twitter. That message stated as follows:
As Vice Chairman of the International Democratic Union, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s arrest has been met with deep regret by the IDU. Following his arrest, a rapid deterioration in the former President’s health condition was observed. Therefore, the IDU urges the Government of Sri Lanka to release him from prison custody in order to allow him to receive treatment under proper medical supervision.”
The connection between Welikada Prison land and Ranil Wickremesinghe
“I also noticed that many people on social media are expressing various views regarding Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s health conditions. I believe his life has always been maintained according to a certain routine. That routine could involve some regular exercises, having meals at specific times, working at Flower Road at 12:30 p.m., taking a two-hour rest afterwards, resuming work at 3 p.m., and continuing until 10 p.m. every day. This is how he carried out his daily activities.
At this moment, that routine has been subjected to heavy pressure, which caused his health condition to deteriorate. Another special point is that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken into custody and remanded at the Welikada Prison, which stands on 43 acres of land that once belonged to his family—specifically to his wife’s family. Therefore, the real owners of that land are none other than Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and his family members. This, too, is an unfortunate twist of fate.
I have in my possession the land registry documents relating to Welikada Prison, and I will provide copies to the media. Then the media and the people of Sri Lanka can understand that this is a deeply regrettable incident that has befallen a member of such a distinguished family.”
Doctors who signed the bail application
“Finally, let me say this: all political parties in Sri Lanka, all forces, the entire legal community, and all medical groups stood on his behalf. In the end, when he was granted bail, doctors themselves stayed in court, even during their leave, without drinking even a glass of water, saying: ‘We will stand surety for him.’ It was the doctors themselves who signed as sureties for Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s bail. Therefore, on behalf of our party, we extend our respect and gratitude to all Sri Lankans who dedicated themselves in that manner for Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe.”
A journalist’s question and Vajira Abeywardena’s response
Question:
“Now, he fell ill while in prison. But in court, didn’t he already have this condition? Are you suggesting that his illness arose because of his imprisonment?”
Answer:
“The way I see it, this is how it happened. He was asked to appear around 9:30 a.m. and then questioned for about 4–5 hours. He has a specific routine for taking meals, and his medication must be taken at the proper time. During that period, all of this was disrupted. Afterwards, he was brought to court and kept inside the dock for another 5–6 hours, without electricity, until about 10:30 at night. Altogether, he was held for nearly 12 hours under such conditions. Naturally, when that kind of pressure is applied, illnesses can develop.”
UNP Deputy Leader, former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam
“Thank you to everyone who stood by him…!”
“Today, we are holding this press conference especially to thank all those who came forward on behalf of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. We, as the United National Party, express our gratitude to the leaders of all political parties, their general secretaries, and all the representatives who stood with us.
We also extend our thanks to the prison officials who supported him after he was taken into custody, and to the doctors and medical staff at the Colombo National Hospital who cared for him after he was admitted there from prison.
Furthermore, we express our appreciation to the team of lawyers who stood by him, to all UNP members who rallied for him, and to representatives of other political parties who came forward on his behalf.”
UNP General Secretary, former Minister and Attorney-at-Law Thalatha Athukorala
“Everyone came forward for Ranil”
“As our Deputy Leader mentioned, I too, as the General Secretary of the United National Party, wish to thank everyone who came forward on behalf of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. The support we received from all of you gave us immense strength. To my knowledge, this was the first time in Sri Lanka that such a large number of lawyers participated in a single legal case. For us in the UNP, that gave great encouragement.
There was no party division here. Everyone came forward for Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Even from the moment he was imprisoned, our party supporters across the island engaged in their own religious practices in temples, churches, and kovils, praying for his speedy recovery and good health. Therefore, I take this opportunity to express our gratitude for all of that as well.”
