JVP-led NPP seeking to establish one-party rule: Opposition
Reiterating that the NPP government was seeking a one-party rule, the SJB-led Opposition yesterday (26) vowed to stand by former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, 76, as the latter received bail in spite of the Attorney General advocating that he should be remanded until the conclusion of the case.
The case will be taken up again on 29 October.
Wickremesinghe, who is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital, joined the hearing virtually via Zoom.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura released Wickremesinghe on three surety bonds of Rs. 5 million each.
The bail was approved primarily on medical grounds after the former leader was hospitalised shortly after his remand.
Earlier in the day, Prisons Department Spokesperson Jagath Weerasinghe said if the Colombo Fort Magistrate issued an order for the former President to be granted access to the proceedings via Zoom, it could be arranged.
On Monday, the National Hospital indicated that the former President was not in a condition to appear in court as directed by the Colombo Fort Magistrate last Friday (22).
Hospital officials confirmed he was suffering from acute dehydration, compounded by existing conditions, including severe diabetes and high blood pressure .
Wickremesinghe faces three charges under the Public Property Act related to alleged misuse of approximately Rs. 16.6 million of state funds during a trip to the United Kingdom in September 2023 Heavy police presence near the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s court prevented the people from moving in that direction, while water cannons were also brought in.
The former President has been charged under the Public Property Act for alleged misuse of state funds to the tune of Rs 16.6 mn by joining his wife, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe in the UK for celebration of her receiving Honorary Professorship from the University of Wolverhampton.
The visit occurred while the former President was returning from the G77 summit in Cuba and the UN General Assembly in New York .
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris, who appeared for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) opposed bail being granted to the former President. The UNP leader’s legal team, included Anuja Premaratne, PC, and former Attorney General Tilak Marapana, PC.
Protesters caused traffic disruptions in the area as the former President’s defence team and the Attorney General’s Department made submissions.
ASG Peiris has opposed bail for Wickremesinghe as the authencity of the invitation has not been ascertained from the University of Wolverhampton. Therefore, the former President should not be granted bail and kept in remand until the conclusion of the case.
In court, the prosecution argued that Wickremesinghe had “played ducks and drakes with public funds” by using state resources for what they characterised as a private visit. The CID investigation, initially referred to court in June, alleged that the UK stopover was a private visit for which state funds were improperly used .
The defence countered that as sitting President, Wickremesinghe was entitled to certain privileges and that private and official visits can be hardly demarcated on a President’s agenda.
Magistrate Lankapura ultimately granted bail based on what she termed “exceptional circumstances” related to Wickremesinghe’s health, specifically referencing medical reports signed by six physicians. She emphasised that her decision was based primarily on considerations regarding the former President’s medical condition .
By Sanath Nanayakkare