Ranil released on bail

Entry roads to Fort Magistrate’s Court were closed by Police, preventing people from entering as misappropriation case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was taken up yesterday 

• Ranil appears before Colombo Fort Magistrate via Zoom due to bad health
• Thilak Marapana PC tells court National Audit Office found no evidence of misappropriation 
• Additional Solicitor General Deelipa Peeris flags courtroom misconduct
• Magistrate orders Contempt of Court inquiry into video footage, photographs of last Friday’s hearings
• Wickremesinghe to receive treatment over next few days, and address joint opposition group thereafter

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday granted bail to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had been in remand custody since Friday. He was released on three sureties of Rs. 5 million each.

Wickremesinghe appeared before Court via Zoom as he was receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department last week in connection with the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds for a 2023 visit to the United Kingdom. Proceedings were adjourned to 29 October.

Defence Counsel presented a medical report, noting that three of his four coronary arteries were blocked and citing other health complications, and requested that bail be considered on medical grounds.

President’s Counsel Thilak Marapana, also appearing for Wickremesinghe, submitted that the internal audit officer of the Presidential Secretariat did not have authority to audit the matter. He further told court that an audit conducted by the National Audit Office found no evidence of misappropriation of the funds obtained under the President’s Expenditure head.

Wickremesinghe was initially admitted to the Prison Hospital after his arrest on Friday before being transferred to the National Hospital ICU on medical advice. 

Appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, Additional Solicitor General Deelipa Peeris raised concerns in court about conduct surrounding the recent proceedings.

He said that during last Friday’s hearing, a video of the court order had been recorded and circulated on social media, and that photographs of the suspect inside the dock had also been shared online.

Peeris told court that after the order was delivered, a group had addressed the media outside and claimed that the ruling originated from “Pelawatte.” He submitted that such actions amounted to contempt of court.

He further noted that a YouTuber had publicly stated, prior to the commencement of proceedings that the suspect would be remanded, and informed court that this incident is under investigation.

“No one can be permitted to insult or undermine the authority of the court,” Peeris said.

He also referred to comments made outside court alleging that State counsel were “Anura’s contractors” or seeking to become the next Attorney General, and described such remarks as unacceptable.

Peeris further submitted that the suspect had not spent any time in remand custody, and emphasised that it is for the Magistrate to decide on such matters, adding that a proper medical board should examine the suspect.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura directed that an inquiry be initiated under the Contempt of Court Ordinance into individuals alleged to have recorded video footage and photographs inside the courtroom during the previous hearing and circulated them on social media.

Following his release on bail, the Office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a statement that he would remain at the Colombo National Hospital for treatment over the coming days. The statement noted that Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to the joint opposition group and those who had united to demonstrate against his arrest under the banner “Let’s Defeat the Constitutional Dictatorship.” It added that he is expected to address the joint opposition group in due course.