Ranil Wickremesinghe granted bail

26 August 2025 04:13 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 34 Bookmark

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By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, August 26 (Daily Mirror) - Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been named as a suspect in connection with the alleged misuse of government funds amounting to Rs. 16.6 million for a private overseas tour undertaken by a group of ten, was today released on bail.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupili Lankapura granted bail to the suspect on three surties of Rs 5 million each.

Further magisterial inquiry was fixed for October 29.

The former President was arrested on Friday after being summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), on misuse of state funds regarding a private overseas trip.

This marked him as the first former president in Sri Lanka to be arrested.

He was initially admitted to the prison hospital after being remanded by court, citing multiple health complications.

However, Wickremesinghe was later transferred to the National Hospital following medical assessments.

Comments - 34

Charlie Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:17 PM

Common sense prevails!

24 11

Kandaih Balendran Wednesday, 27 August 2025 01:13 AM

Sick drama worked. Beautiful life for the rich..

1 10

Jilbuh Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:21 PM

The opposition united themselves for protecting their own misdeeds - not even tsunami, covid or a 30-year long war could do that. Congratulations!

8 52

Rogue Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:21 PM

I'm sure his health will dramatically improve until 29th of October.

4 27

Citizen k Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:22 PM

Now a magical recovery will take place.

3 16

Johan Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:22 PM

162 lakhs spent for transit two days when people were starving without food with severe shortage of gas fuel medicin le milkpowder School stationeries uniform etc .Does he had any conscience

4 22

Ulysses Wednesday, 27 August 2025 03:55 AM

As they say, context is everything. Anybody can make a case that anything spent by a politician who is running the country is a waste. People could say that using a luxury vehicle to transport the president can feed a few hundred people. So you want the president to ride in a bullock cart and stop going on overseas trips that also had an official function. Uttering words without delineating the context is not only dangerous, but futile and nonsensical.

22 3

Rakitha W Wednesday, 27 August 2025 12:13 PM

Considering what the country and the people were going through at that time, he behaved like the President of a rich county or a ruler of an oil-rich country. Were such lavish spendings essential or ethical? Was it legal to label a private visit as a state visit?

0 15

AnuraKumar Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:27 PM

Good News

24 10

ANNE CUNT Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:30 PM

stolen money by Mahinda was used to bail Ranil

6 11

karu Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:31 PM

For the further treatments fly Singapore and disappear with the wind like your mango friend.

5 14

J. Amarai Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:32 PM

Very Good . For a moment I thought this country Turning to better . Naaa, Never ever . Ara Soysa Ara

2 3

sunil Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:34 PM

Now all aliments would have disappeared

2 14

ajith Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:35 PM

What happens to the tax payers Rs.16M squandered

3 12

Historian Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:35 PM

It is time the govt focus on uniting the people and focus on rebuilding the economy. Power is not for ever and what ever you do, if economic hardships are not eliminated you will get eliminated by the same people who put you into power. That is inevitable.

6 15

Realistica Adams Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:36 PM

We respect the decision of the Magistrate but bail should not have been given, as the offence is too severe.

10 11

Just saying Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:37 PM

No surprises there then!

0 4

pradeep Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:39 PM

According the described medical conditions he cannot leave from the hospital, situation is so serious

0 10

test case Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:46 PM

we will see whether there will be any emergency treatment even any heart surgery required judging from the reports. If not serious doubts on the medical reports we were fed with, Thanks to the magistrate who has put the ball in RW court

1 18

Jagath Leanage Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:47 PM

Had lots and many illnesses. Sin. Better retire from from politics and stay at home. Spend a peaceful life without troubling others atleast now.

1 5

FERDINAND Wednesday, 03 September 2025 07:37 PM

will NOT RETIRE this is where easy money to be made ask Mahinda

0 1

Ram P Tuesday, 26 August 2025 04:57 PM

His health situation appear to be exceptional circumstances and the granting of bail is welcome. If his medical records were tendered to court last Friday there was a chance to get bail. Unfortunately Ranil and his team of lawyers were not ready hoping bail will be received on a platter

2 0

DOT Tuesday, 26 August 2025 05:04 PM

Get well soon! Get a rest and re group!

42 5

Vincent Kajjah Tuesday, 26 August 2025 10:03 PM

Regroup to steal people's money again?

6 25

Krishna Tuesday, 26 August 2025 05:33 PM

For 16 million aligation they spent 100 s of millions...and more to spend

0 8

TKD Tuesday, 26 August 2025 05:43 PM

Ah, so what’s next on the political drama series—“Remand MR”? Or maybe let’s keep the suspense going… after all, the government still has four years left to milk this plotline. No rush, right? But on a serious note—if the government truly wants to bring past rulers to justice, then do the homework properly and present a watertight case. Otherwise, just be honest with the people: admit there isn’t strong enough evidence and move on. Focus instead on delivering real development and improving living standards. At the end of the day, people will forget broken promises if you can actually give them a better life.

20 9

Kumara Tuesday, 26 August 2025 05:56 PM

Lot of interference from Ranil's supporters led to the bail release. However, the politicians must allow judicial process to takes its own course.

2 8

M Fernando Tuesday, 26 August 2025 06:23 PM

Will he remain in hospital or miraculously recover from all his serious conditions and go home ?

1 7

Lk Tuesday, 26 August 2025 06:27 PM

Don’t leave him just to escape the court jurisdiction and all must come under legal jurisdiction no matter what his post and position if some one has done wrong he must be accountable and responsible

0 20

Saradiel Tuesday, 26 August 2025 06:43 PM

I personally think it's fair enough. Let the court case proceed giving him a fair chance to prove his innocence.

1 5

Grace Tuesday, 26 August 2025 07:55 PM

Don't remove the L Boards. Beginning of the end the L boards carriers.

24 4

Shera Wednesday, 27 August 2025 06:09 AM

This country is so divided. So sad to see. Society was much better back in the day when there was only UNP and SLFP as major political parties. People were not vicious. I am sure the older generations would understand. This government should do better to promote peace and unity. Instead, as JVP has always done, even disguised as NPP they have caused stark divisions and continue fan the flames of discord. This country could have progressed immensely in the last year but waste time on cheap political thrills.

0 2

Chris Xavir Wednesday, 27 August 2025 09:14 AM

Since Ranil claims this trip in question was paid out of his own funds, why is so difficult for him to prove it? Obviously, there is lot more than meets the eye.

0 0

David Amar Wednesday, 27 August 2025 05:26 PM

Sri Lanka is a corrupt and bankrupt country primarily because of the politicians are corrupt themselves. Obviously, all former corrupt politicians are supporting one of their kind. As the solution, many countries have adopted dictatorship of the right or the left. Maybe we should try a dictatorship as an alternative.!!!

0 0

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