Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday, expressing concern over the arrest of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe, appealed to the island country government to quit the politics of vengeance and treat his former President with respect and dignity.
Wickramasinghe (76) was taken to the main magazine remand jail around midnight on Friday after being sent to custody by the court of ‘Colombo Fort Magistrate’ by 26 August. He was shifted to the intensive medical unit (ICU) of Colombo National Hospital on Saturday.
Tharoor wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “I am worried about being detained on the allegations of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe appearing minor.”
Congress leader Tharoor said, “He has already been taken to the jail hospital due to his health problems. I, with full respect that it is his internal matter, urge the Sri Lankan government to leave the politics of retaliation with his former President with the honor and dignity that he is entitled to serve the country for decades. “
Jail spokesperson Jagat Veerasinghe said on Saturday that Wickremesinghe was admitted to the jail hospital, as he had high blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
The former President was arrested on Friday at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, where he was called to record the statement regarding the alleged misuse of government funds of 1.66 crore Sri Lankan rupees. After this, Wickramasinghe was produced in the court of Colombo Fort Magistrate.
The CID has accused him under sections 386 and 388 of the Penal Code and Section 5 (1) of the Public Property Act. These allegations provide for at least one year and a maximum of 20 years jail sentence.
