by Our Correspondent in Colombo
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was discharged from the Colombo National Hospital this afternoon, following several days of treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He had been admitted earlier today to a general ward, as doctors confirmed his health condition had shown significant improvement.
Medical sources have confirmed that, despite his recovery, Mr Wickremesinghe has been advised to undergo urgent heart surgery in the near future. The former President reportedly spent much of his hospital stay reading a copy of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest memoir, drawing parallels between political leadership and personal resilience.
However, the focus of public attention has shifted from Mr Wickremesinghe’s health to recent allegations surrounding his private engagements during office. Questions have been raised regarding the series of private visits undertaken by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, which came to light after several Right to Information (RTI) applications were submitted requesting details. The President’s office, however, categorically denied the requests, refusing to disclose any information regarding the timing, purpose, or participants of the visit.
Political analysts have accused the current government of opacity and selective disclosure, suggesting that such denials fuel suspicion over the involvement of politicians in undisclosed transactions and private meetings. Opposition members have called for greater transparency, noting that citizens have a right to know if public office is being used for personal or political gain.
In a related development, Mr Wickremesinghe’s own experiences with scrutiny and political pressure have been highlighted in extracts from Boris Johnson’s book, which he reportedly read while in hospital. Johnson writes, “Leadership is not merely about holding office—it is about enduring the constant glare of public scrutiny and the unexpected blows of fortune.” Observers have drawn parallels with Wickremesinghe’s recent tenure, suggesting that navigating political crises requires both caution and fortitude.
