August 26, Colombo (LNW): Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (26), following a high-profile hearing into allegations of misusing public funds.
The charges stem from a 2023 overseas visit, which investigators allege was carried out for personal reasons under the guise of official state business.
Wickremesinghe was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department on August 22 and remanded under provisions of the Public Property Act. The court had previously ordered that he remain in remand custody until August 26, pending further legal proceedings.
Today’s hearing commenced at 2:00 PM, with the former president appearing remotely via Zoom from the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for multiple health complications.