Tensions flared in court on Wednesday during proceedings in the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with prosecutors questioning how the former leader was seated in court as a suspect and raising concerns over his previous hospital stay following remand.
Additional Solicitor General Dileep Peiris told the Fort Magistrate’s Court that Wickremesinghe was present in court as a suspect and questioned the manner in which he was seated.
“How can a suspect sit like that? He must obtain the court’s permission,” Peiris said, prompting objections from the defence.
Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara agreed with the prosecution’s position, stating that there is a proper procedure for court seating arrangements. “There is a proper procedure for seating in court, and it must be followed,” the magistrate said.
Peiris also raised concerns over Wickremesinghe’s hospitalisation after he was previously remanded, alleging misuse of public resources.
“After being remanded, he was admitted directly to the intensive care unit at the National Hospital and spent time with his associates there, even reading Boris Johnson’s book,” Peiris told court.
He further claimed that a medical report had been submitted to court without a request from the judiciary, and that the prosecution had not received a copy of the report.
“This suspect illegally stayed in the ICU and misused public property,” Peiris alleged.
Defence lawyers rejected the claims, arguing that many of the allegations did not relate to their client and that the authenticity of an invitation letter for Wickremesinghe’s UK visit had not been properly investigated.
The court also remanded former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, named as the second suspect in the case, until Feb. 11, rejecting his bail request. The magistrate said bail could not be granted under the Public Property Act without exceptional circumstances.
The case was postponed, with Wickremesinghe ordered to appear again on April 29. (Newswire)