Senior journalist S. Venkat Narayan, President of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC), has described the arrest of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe as “ridiculous” and emphasized that it will not affect relations between India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking to ANI, Narayan highlighted Wickremesinghe’s pivotal role in securing international support for Sri Lanka during its financial crisis and his close ties with India. “Because of his excellent relationships with India, India gave them aid worth over USD 4 billion. He has been the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka six times and knows practically everybody who is somebody on the planet. The World Bank, IMF, Japan, France, and other aid providers have been considerate because of his personal influence,” Narayan said.
Addressing the allegations that led to Wickremesinghe’s arrest, Narayan clarified that there was no corruption involved. He outlined the former president’s recent travel: “He went to Cuba to attend the G77 summit, then to New York for the UN General Assembly. On the way back, he stopped in London, where his wife, a professor of English, attended a university ceremony. From London, he traveled 200 km to Wolverhampton. The expenses for his wife’s travel were personally covered. Security has to be provided to the president, even if he is a private individual. The President of Sri Lanka cannot simply forgo security on such trips.”
Narayan strongly defended Wickremesinghe’s integrity, saying, “As he stated before being taken into custody, he never did anything for himself; he only worked for Sri Lanka. The fact that they are arresting him shows what kind of administration President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is heading at the moment.”
Regarding the potential impact on India-Sri Lanka relations, Narayan dismissed any concerns. “No, I don’t really think so. This is primarily an internal issue for Sri Lanka. India should not intervene. However, if needed, New Delhi could provide medical assistance. Wickremesinghe is 76 years old, with high blood pressure and elevated sugar levels. If necessary, India should offer him treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai or in Delhi to ensure he receives the best possible care,” he said.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, which Narayan heads, is a platform for over 500 journalists and photographers covering India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Tibet. The club offers press conferences, cultural events, and networking opportunities for both foreign and local media professionals, serving as a hub for exchanging insights and maintaining connections across the region.
