A Sri Lankan court has granted bail to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested last week on charges of misusing state resources during his tenure in office. The decision came on Tuesday, providing temporary relief to the veteran politician as legal proceedings continue.

Wickremesinghe, 76, was taken into custody after appearing at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Colombo to provide a statement regarding an overseas trip. He had traveled to London to attend a graduation ceremony, an event that investigators allege involved the misuse of public funds. Shortly after his arrest, the former leader reportedly fell ill and was admitted to a hospital in the capital.

A lawyer by profession and a longtime figure in Sri Lankan politics, Wickremesinghe has held the post of prime minister six times over the course of his career. He rose to the presidency in 2022 at the height of the island nation’s most severe economic crisis in decades. His predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled the country amid mass protests triggered by shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. Rajapaksa formally resigned soon afterward, paving the way for Wickremesinghe to assume power in a turbulent moment for the nation.

Wickremesinghe’s presidency, however, was marked by deep divisions. While he sought to stabilize the economy and engage with international lenders to secure bailout packages, his leadership faced strong criticism from both opposition groups and the public, who accused him of protecting the political establishment that many blamed for the crisis. His decision to crack down on anti-government demonstrations further tarnished his popularity.

In last year’s presidential election, Wickremesinghe contested as the candidate of the United National Party (UNP), the political group he has long led. Despite his experience, he finished in third place. The election was won by leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while opposition figure Sajith Premadasa secured second place.

The allegations of corruption tied to state resource misuse now cast another shadow over Wickremesinghe’s long career. Though details of the charges have not been fully disclosed, political analysts in Colombo suggest that the case will likely intensify scrutiny of past administrations and their handling of public finances during a period of unprecedented economic hardship.

Wickremesinghe’s release on bail allows him temporary freedom, but legal experts say the proceedings could drag on for months. His arrest also comes at a politically sensitive time for Sri Lanka, as the country struggles to maintain economic recovery under a new leadership that has pledged greater transparency and accountability.

As one of the most seasoned politicians in Sri Lanka’s modern history, Wickremesinghe’s career has been defined by both resilience and controversy. His survival through decades of political turbulence and repeated returns to high office underscored his ability to maneuver within a fractured political system. Yet, the recent charges add to a growing list of challenges that have undermined his legacy.

The developments surrounding Wickremesinghe’s arrest and subsequent bail are being closely monitored both at home and abroad. With Sri Lanka still reeling from the aftershocks of its economic collapse, the case could become a pivotal test of the nation’s commitment to addressing corruption and rebuilding public trust in its political institutions.