Colombo: A Sri Lankan court on Tuesday granted bail to former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in remand custody over allegations of misusing public funds.

Wickremesinghe joined the proceedings virtually from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital, amid tight security and protests outside the court premises.

The hearing, presided over by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, was conducted through Zoom.

When was he arrested?

The former president was arrested on Friday last week by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police.

He was taken to the main Magazine Remand Prison close to midnight on Friday after the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court remanded him till 26 August.

Initially admitted to the prison hospital, Wickremesinghe was later transferred to the ICU of the National Hospital after his health deteriorated due to dehydration.

What are the allegations?

Wickremesinghe has been accused of misusing LKR 16.6 million to fund a private visit to the United Kingdom in 2023, where he attended the university convocation of his wife, Maithree.

He has denied the allegation, insisting that the trip was official as the invitation was extended to the President of Sri Lanka in his capacity as head of state.

(PTI inputs)