Colombo: Thousands of protesters rallied in Sri Lanka’s capital on Tuesday after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on corruption charges, making him the first ex-head of state in the country’s history to face detention.
Arrest Sparks Political Storm
Wickremesinghe, who led Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024, was arrested last Friday over allegations of misusing public funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London after an official visit to the United States in 2023. The court ordered him held until Tuesday’s bail hearing.
Opposition leaders denounced the move as a political witch hunt, accusing the government of targeting rivals instead of addressing the country’s ongoing economic struggles.
Street Protests in Colombo
More than 1,000 of his supporters gathered outside the Magistrates’ Court, chanting slogans and waving black flags. Protesters carried banners demanding Wickremesinghe’s immediate release.
One demonstrator, 69-year-old Samarasiri Kuruwitaarachchi, said, “The government has failed to deliver on its promises and is now trying to silence opponents. We condemn the arrest of Wickremesinghe, who has done so much for the country.”
Government Defends Action
Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected claims of political vendetta, insisting that the arrest was conducted under the law. He said the government has a mandate to probe alleged corruption by past administrations.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, elected on an anti-corruption platform last year, has vowed to hold former leaders accountable. Over a dozen ex-officials are currently under investigation.
Health Concerns
Wickremesinghe, who was admitted to Colombo National Hospital on Saturday with dehydration and related complications, is being treated in the ICU. Doctors say his condition has stabilised, though he may attend court proceedings virtually.
Legacy and Fallout
Wickremesinghe took office in 2022 after mass protests forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign amid Sri Lanka’s economic collapse. Though credited with stabilising the economy and rebuilding reserves, he drew public anger for imposing strict austerity measures.
His arrest has now triggered fresh political turmoil, with opposition parties vowing to continue protests until his release.
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