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Key Points

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been hospitalized and transferred to the ICU due to health complications. His condition includes dehydration, increased heart rate, and elevated kidney parameters that require specialist treatment. This development prevents him from appearing in court for his scheduled hearing on Tuesday regarding allegations of misusing state funds. Doctors have advised three days of rest and medication while monitoring his condition in the intensive care unit.

Key Points: Ranil Wickremesinghe Hospitalized in ICU Ahead of Court Hearing

  • Wickremesinghe hospitalized with dehydration and increased heart rate
  • Elevated kidney parameters detected in medical tests
  • Transferred to ICU as precautionary measure
  • Scheduled court appearance canceled for three days
2 min read

SL: Former President Wickremesinghe transferred to ICU due to ill-health, ahead of hearing

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe admitted to ICU due to dehydration and elevated kidney parameters, missing his court hearing on state fund misuse charges.

"While the symptoms are not very serious at present, if complications develop, his condition could become critical - Colombo National Hospital Official"

Colombo, August 25

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be able to appear in court on Tuesday due to ill-health, Daily Mirror Sri Lanka reported, citing hospital sources.

As per Daily Mirror, Wickremesinghe was scheduled to be brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate on August 26. However, hospital officials said that his prevailing health conditions would prevent him from appearing in court on Tuesday.

Referring to a senior official of the Colombo National Hospital (CNH), Daily Mirror reported that the former Sri Lankan President has been advised to take medication and rest for the next three days. He was reported to be dehydrated on the previous day, which had caused an increased heart rate. Medical tests also revealed elevated kidney parameters, along with symptoms such as headache.

"While the symptoms are not very serious at present, if complications develop, his condition could become critical," the official said, as cited by Daily Mirror. "With proper treatment, he may recover, but he requires rest and medication for the next three days."

As a precautionary measure, doctors have decided to transfer him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Daily Mirror said.

Wickremesinghe was remanded until August 26 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura.

According to the Daily Mirror, Wickremesinghe was initially admitted to the prison hospital on Sunday, following his remand, but was later transferred to Colombo National Hospital, after medical assessments indicated the need for specialist treatment unavailable at the prison facility.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on Friday on allegations of state funds' misuse, as reported by Newswire Lanka.

As per Newswire, his arrest is linked to allegations of using state funds to cover the expenses for a private visit to London, where he had attended a university graduation ceremony.

It was further reported that the investigators claim the trip, which formed part of a wider overseas tour, was not an official engagement but was financed with government money.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister, assumed office as Sri Lanka's interim president in July 2022 following Gotabaya Rajapaksa's removal. He lost the Presidential Elections to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of National People's Power, in September 2024.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Whether he's guilty or not, everyone deserves proper medical care. Hope he recovers soon. The ICU transfer suggests it might be genuine - dehydration and kidney issues can be serious for elderly people.
A
Aditya G
Using state funds for personal trips is exactly the kind of corruption that has plagued our neighboring countries. Hope Sri Lanka's judiciary handles this properly. The timing is suspicious though.
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Meera T
As an Indian, I've seen similar patterns here too. Powerful politicians suddenly falling ill when courts call them. The truth will come out eventually. Wishing him good health, but justice must prevail.
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Sarah B
The medical details sound specific and concerning - elevated kidney parameters and dehydration aren't minor issues. Maybe we should wait for more information before jumping to conclusions about his intentions.
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Vikram M
Six-time PM and former President ending up in ICU while facing corruption charges. What a fall from grace. This shows no one is above the law, regardless of their position. Hope Sri Lanka sets a good example for the region.

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