The arrest of Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has sparked outrage, with senior journalist S. Venkat Narayan, head of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC), calling it “absurd” and warning that it reveals more about the current regime than about Wickremesinghe himself.
Narayan, a respected voice in South Asian journalism, insisted that Wickremesinghe never acted for personal gain, declaring that he devoted his career solely to serving Sri Lanka. Speaking to ANI, Narayan said the detention was “ridiculous” and stressed that it would not affect India-Sri Lanka relations.
He highlighted Wickremesinghe’s crucial role in securing international backing during Sri Lanka’s worst financial collapse, noting how his strong ties with India led to aid packages worth more than USD 4 billion. “He has been Prime Minister six times and knows almost everyone of influence worldwide. The World Bank, IMF, Japan, France and others supported Sri Lanka largely due to his personal credibility,” Narayan explained.
Turning to the allegations that triggered Wickremesinghe’s arrest, Narayan dismissed any suggestion of corruption. He traced the former president’s recent travels: first to Cuba for the G77 summit, then to New York for the UN General Assembly, before stopping in London where his wife, an English professor, attended a ceremony. From there, Wickremesinghe traveled 200 km to Wolverhampton. According to Narayan, his wife’s costs were privately covered, while the president’s own security was a state necessity. “Even in private capacity, a head of state cannot discard security protocols,” he said.
Narayan went further, fiercely defending Wickremesinghe’s integrity. “As he said before being taken into custody, he never did anything for himself. He worked only for Sri Lanka. Arresting him only shows the character of the current administration under Anura Kumara Dissanayake,” Narayan argued.
On the question of India-Sri Lanka ties, Narayan dismissed fears of strain. “No, I don’t think so. This is an internal matter. India should not interfere. If required, India may extend medical aid. Wickremesinghe is 76 years old, suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. If needed, India can provide treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai or in Delhi to ensure he gets the best care,” he said.
The FCC, which Narayan heads, is a regional hub representing over 500 journalists and photographers across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Tibet. The club hosts media briefings, cultural exchanges and professional networks, offering a platform for global and regional correspondents covering South Asia’s most pressing political, economic and social stories.
SOURCE :- SRI LANKA GUARDIAN
