Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s health has reportedly deteriorated in custody, forcing his transfer from Magazine Prison to Colombo National Hospital’s ICU — with doctors prescribing not just treatment, but also home-cooked meals.
The health condition of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was remanded in custody, has reportedly worsened, raising fresh concerns over his treatment in prison.
Wickremesinghe was initially taken to Magazine Prison, where doctors who examined him confirmed elevated blood pressure and high sugar levels. Following their recommendation, he was transferred to the Welikada Prison Hospital for further monitoring.
Despite medical intervention, his blood pressure reportedly remained high throughout the afternoon. As a result, doctors advised that he be moved again, this time from the Prison Hospital to the Colombo National Hospital, for more specialized care.
In a gesture acknowledging his medical vulnerability, authorities have also allowed Wickremesinghe to receive food from home, a privilege rarely extended to ordinary inmates.
By evening, Wickremesinghe’s condition had further deteriorated. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital, where doctors cited dehydration as the primary cause for his latest health crisis. He continues to be treated for high blood pressure and diabetes.
Hospital officials confirmed that due to his ICU admission, visitation will be strictly limited, restricting even political allies and family members from frequent access.
The sudden shift from prison cell to ICU underscores the seriousness of Wickremesinghe’s condition, while critics question whether the leniency shown to him — including the privilege of home-cooked food — reflects a double standard in the treatment of high-profile prisoners in Sri Lanka.
