Colombo, Aug. 26: A Sri Lankan court Tuesday granted bail to former president Ranil Wickremesinghe in a graft case after he joined proceedings virtually from the Intensive Care Unit of Colombo National Hospital, amid tight security and protests outside the building.

The hearing, presided over by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, was conducted via Zoom, PTI reported citing the Daily Mirror. President’s Counsel Thilak Marapana, Anuja Premaratne, Upul Jayasuriya and Ali Sabry appeared for Wickremesinghe, while Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris represented the Attorney General.

Premaratne, citing medical reports, told the court that three of Wickremesinghe’s four main arteries were blocked, his heart tissue had suffered necrosis, and he was also battling a lung infection along with diabetes. “By mere appearance, one cannot notice that such serious medical conditions exist,” he said, PTI reported.

Wickremesinghe, 75, was arrested on August 22 for allegedly misusing LKR 16.6 million to fund a private trip to the UK in 2023, which he insists was official in nature. He was first held at the Magazine Remand Prison before being shifted to the ICU due to dehydration.

The veteran leader, who served as president between July 2022 and September 2024, became the first Sri Lankan head of state to be arrested.

Meanwhile, heavy security was deployed around Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court as protesters gathered under the theme “Against Repression.” Police used barricades, riot control units and water cannons after demonstrators attempted to break through. A policeman was injured after being struck by a bottle thrown by a protester, reports said.-Agencies