By: Isuru Parakrama
August 26, Colombo (LNW): Legal proceedings involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe were brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (26), with the Attorney General’s Department formally objecting to any request for bail.
The case, filed under the Public Property Act, continues as the former head of state remains in remand custody while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.
The matter was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. Wickremesinghe was not physically present in court due to his medical condition. Representing the Criminal Investigation Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appeared before the court and argued against granting bail, citing concerns over the seriousness of the allegations.
Peiris also informed the court that a key element of the investigation—namely the authenticity and legal basis of the invitation extended to Mr. Wickremesinghe by the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom—has yet to be verified. The invitation is central to the case, which involves accusations of misusing state funds during a 2023 overseas trip.
A team of senior defence lawyers, including President’s Counsel Thilak Marapana and Anuja Premaratne, appeared on behalf of Wickremesinghe. The defence is expected to file further submissions in the coming days.
