Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has voiced his concern over the arrest of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Tharoor has urged the Sri Lankan government to avoid "vindictive politics" and to treat the former president with the respect and dignity that he deserves.
Wickremesinghe, a six-time Prime Minister, was arrested on Friday on allegations of misusing state funds. The allegations relate to the use of state funds to cover expenses for a private trip to London in September 2023, where he attended a university graduation ceremony for his wife. Wickremesinghe served as president from 2022 to 2024, assuming office after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. He ultimately lost the Presidential election in September 2024 to Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Tharoor expressed his concerns in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the charges against Wickremesinghe appeared "trivial". He also noted that Wickremesinghe had been taken to a prison hospital due to health issues. Tharoor said, "Concerned about the detention of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe on what, on the face of it, seem trivial charges. His health issues have already seen him taken to the prison hospital. I call on the government of Sri Lanka -- while fully respecting that this is their internal matter -- to abjure the politics of vengeance and treat their former President with the respect and dignity that he deserves, after his decades of service to the nation".
Newswire Lanka reported that Wickremesinghe’s arrest was related to allegations of misusing state funds for a private visit to London. Investigators claim that the trip was not an official engagement but was financed with government money. Wickremesinghe, however, has maintained that his wife's travel expenses were met by her and that no state funds were used. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleges that Wickremesinghe used government money for his travel on a private visit and that his bodyguards were also paid by the state.
S. Venkat Narayan, a senior Sri Lankan journalist, called the arrest "ridiculous". Speaking to ANI, Narayan said, "I think this is highly ridiculous because, as he said before he was taken in, he said, hello, I never did anything for myself. I only worked for Sri Lanka. And you know the fact that they are arresting me shows what kind of administration Anura (President Anura Kumara Dissanayake) is heading at the moment". Narayan also suggested that India could extend medical help to Wickremesinghe if needed.
The Colombo Fort magistrate's court remanded Wickremesinghe until August 26, after which he was admitted to the prison hospital due to high blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Jagath Weerasinghe, a prison spokesman, confirmed his hospitalization.
Members of the United National Party (UNP) have rallied behind Wickremesinghe, condemning his arrest as political revenge and questioning the government's motives. UNP leaders have praised Wickremesinghe's contributions, especially his role in stabilizing the economy during its crisis. Ruwan Wijewardene, UNP Deputy Leader, stated the party supports the country's anti-corruption drive but stands against any effort to use it for political revenge.
Leaders of opposition parties are also vowing collective action against the government's attempts to suppress political opponents, following Wickremesinghe's arrest. Opposition figures including former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, along with former ministers and MPs, have met to discuss their response.
Notably, reports have emerged that Wickremesinghe met with Shashi Tharoor in Colombo a day before receiving the CID summons. Former Justice Minister Ali Sabry also attended the meeting.
