Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe has been granted bail after he was arrested last week over allegations that he misused state funds to finance a private trip to London during his presidency.

According to Adaderana, Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupili Lankapura granted bail on three sureties amounting to Rs 5 million each. 

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe has been remanded in custody until 26 August, following a decision by the Colombo Fort Magistrates’ Court this evening.

He was escorted to Welikada prison in handcuffs by Sri Lankan police officers this evening after his bail application was denied.

The 76-year-old former president has reportedly been admitted into the prison hospital on the advice of doctors.

Sri Lankan politicians across the political spectrum flocked to the Colombo Fort Magistrates’ Court today as former president Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before proceedings linked to his arrest over the alleged misuse of state funds.

Sri Lanka’s political establishment has been thrown into controversy after opposition MPs questioned how a ruling regime linked YouTuber appeared to predict the arrest of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe in advance.

In a post on X this morning, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa described the episode as a blow to public faith in law and order.

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested after arriving at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo today to record a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The arrest is linked to allegations that Wickremesinghe misused state funds to cover expenses for a private visit to London during his presidency, where he attended a university graduation ceremony of his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe.