The arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been widely condemned by a united opposition, who have labeled the action as an “undemocratic” and “petty act of political vengeance.”
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, speaking to the media after visiting Wickremesinghe at the Welikada Prison, described the arrest as an act of political revenge, stating that it was “unfair to imprison political leaders, especially former Presidents, over minor incidents.” He emphasized that such actions are “not right” and urged the media to question the government’s actions. Rajapaksa also noted that Wickremesinghe was “not shaken by the arrest,” acknowledging that “in politics, we sometimes have to face these kinds of situations.”
Joining the chorus of disapproval, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about the integrity of the legal process. After visiting Wickremesinghe in the hospital, Premadasa claimed that a “third party has intervened into the enforcement of the rule of law.” He pointed to a prediction made by a YouTuber, Sudantha Thilakasiri, popularly known as “Sudaa” and reportedly close to the ruling Janatha Vumukthi Paramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) Government. Thilakasiri had publicly declared that Wickremesinghe’s arrest and 14-day remand were “mandatory” if he appeared before the CID.
Former Justice Minister and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry described Thilakasiri’s prediction as “deeply troubling” on his Facebook page, warning that such actions “reflect a disturbing trend of vindictive and destructive politics which undermines our institutions and our future.” He called for an end to the “cycle of hatred and retribution.”
The international community has also weighed in, with former Norwegian special peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim, calling for Wickremesinghe’s immediate release. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Solheim praised Wickremesinghe’s role in saving Sri Lanka during the 2022 crisis and claimed the accusations against him were “without merit.”
During a joint press conference on Sunday, opposition leaders gathered to protest the arrest. Former President Maithripala Sirisena stated that such actions go against the country’s “very open democratic practices” and pledged unity to secure Wickremesinghe’s release. Prof. G.L. Peiris, former Foreign Minister, characterized the arrest as an attempt to “intimidate and silence” dissenting voices.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) also expressed its opposition. Party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated, “We may differ with his politics, but we cannot condone an attempt to silence opposition through state intimidation.”
In a powerful statement, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga warned that the arrest poses a “grave danger to Sri Lanka’s democratic framework.” She described the move as a “calculated onslaught on the very essence of our democratic values” and urged all political leaders to stand against such actions, declaring her “unreserved opposition” to the attempts to weaken democracy.
