Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday, 2 September 2025 03:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe |
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday extended his gratitude to all those who supported him from the time of his arrest, marking his first public statement since being taken into custody.
In a special video message released to the media, Wickremesinghe conveyed appreciation to the many individuals and groups who had expressed solidarity, both online and offline, during his arrest.
“I am thankful to everyone who stood by me from the moment I was taken into custody. I intend to meet with all those who supported me soon. Thank you all again,” he said.
The former President was arrested and remanded on 22 August in connection with allegations of misusing Rs. 166 million in public funds during a September 2023 visit to London, which coincided with a ceremony at a British university attended by his wife.
The 76-year-old Wickremesinghe was, however, granted bail after having been placed in remand custody for four days. He was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital last Friday (29), where he had been receiving treatment after being rushed there on 23 August, just hours after being remanded.
The Supreme Court yesterday allowed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice to proceed against ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe and several others.
The petition contests the sale of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) by Lanka Phosphate Ltd., to three private companies at prices allegedly below prevailing international rates, which Petitioners claim resulted in losses to the State.
According to the petition, Lanka Phosphate, in a letter dated 6 July 2023 to the Additional Secretary of the Industries Ministry, agreed to sell 10,000 metric tons of ERP to selected firms at their request. The company also recommended that export licences be issued for the same quantity, despite having no authority to do so, and asked that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) facilitate the permits.
The firms named in the arrangement were D.M. Traders, Disaru International Engineering Company, and Ichiban Ltd. The GSMB, Wickremesinghe, several former Cabinet Ministers, and other parties have been listed as Respondents in the case.
