• Says will meet them later

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended his gratitude to all factions that stood by him from the time of his arrest to his hospitalisation. 

Issuing a special statement to the media yesterday (1), he stated that he was thankful to everyone who supported him through social media and other means from the moment that he was taken into custody. He further mentioned that he intended to meet with all those parties at a later stage.

Wickremesinghe, who was receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo, was discharged from the hospital on Friday (29 August). The 76-year-old was rushed to the ICU on 23 August, just hours after being remanded in custody. 

The former President, who was granted bail on 26 August, was ordered to be released on three surety bails of Rs. 5 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupulee Lankapura. 

Wickremesinghe was taken into custody on 22 August for allegedly misusing Government funds after being questioned about a September 2023 visit to London, UK to attend a ceremony for his wife at a British university while he was the Head of State. 

However, considering his health condition, he was first admitted to the Prison Hospital and later transferred to the ICU of the NHSL based on medical advice. Doctors said that he was suffering from severe dehydration on top of acute diabetes and longstanding high blood pressure.

The case against Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of State funds is scheduled to be taken up again on 29 October.