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30m ago

Protests Grow as Sri Lanka Court Weighs Bail for Detained Ex-President Wickremesinghe

The case is emerging as a test of the NPP government’s anti-corruption drive versus accusations of political retribution.

Supporters of arrested former president Ranil Wickremesinghe shout slogans during a protest out side a magistrate's court in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug.26, 2025.(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Supporters of arrested former president Ranil Wickremesinghe shout slogans during a protest out side a magistrate's court in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug.26, 2025.(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Supporters of arrested former president Ranil Wickremesinghe shout slogans during a protest out side a magistrate's court in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug.26, 2025.(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
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Overview

  • More than 1,000 supporters rallied in Colombo ahead of Tuesday’s hearing to decide whether Ranil Wickremesinghe will be granted bail.
  • Wickremesinghe remains under intensive care at Colombo National Hospital for dehydration and related complications, with a virtual court appearance being arranged.
  • Prosecutors allege he used roughly 17 million Sri Lankan rupees in public funds for a 2023 UK stopover and say paperwork was altered to portray a private detour as official travel.
  • The Colombo Fort Magistrate earlier ordered remand custody through August 26, making him the first former Sri Lankan head of state to face criminal arrest.
  • Opposition figures call the case a political witch hunt, while government-aligned lawyers say the arrest followed a lawful investigation under the Public Property Act.