Sri Lanka's ex-President Wickremesinghe granted bail after arrest over alleged misuse of funds

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was granted bail Tuesday after being arrested over allegations of misusing public funds while in office.

Wickremesinghe is the first Sri Lankan former head of state to be arrested and the most prominent among dozens of high former government and political leaders being investigated for corruption under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was elected last year on an anti-corruption platform.

The senior opposition politician’s aide Danushka Ramanayake said he had heard from the Magistrates’ Court in Colombo that Wickremesinghe had been given bail. More details on the decision were not available.

The former president, who was arrested Friday, is in intensive care at Colombo National Hospital and joined the court hearing remotely.

Wickremesinghe was admitted Saturday for dehydration and related health complications. Dr. Pradeep Wijesinghe, a director at the facility, told the media Monday that his condition has shown some stability.

Wickremesinghe is accused of using public funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London after an official visit to Cuba and the United States in 2023. His party said he attended the graduation ceremony on an invitation received in his official capacity.

During the bail hearing, thousands of Wickremesinghe's supporters took to the streets to protest his arrest, calling it a political witch hunt. They waved black flags and shouted slogans condemning the arrest and calling for his immediate release.

Samarasiri Kuruwitaarachchi, 69, said the government has failed to deliver on the promises made to the people in last year’s election and is now “trying to hunt down the political opponents.”

“We condemn the arrest of Wickremesinghe who has done so much for the country,” Kuruwitaarachchi said. “We gathered here to demand justice for him.”

After the hearing concluded, the supporters of Wickremesinghe cheered and danced in the street.

Opposition lawmakers and politicians have said his arrest undermines the country’s democracy.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected the accusations and said Wickremesinghe’s arrest was in accordance with the law. He told local media Monday that the government has a mandate to investigate the alleged malpractices of previous governments and that the law will be enforced equally.

Wickremesinghe came to power after Sri Lanka’s economic upheaval led to a political crisis that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign in 2022.

Under his leadership, inflation fell, the local currency strengthened and foreign reserves increased. But he faced a public backlash over his government’s stringent austerity measures.

FILE -Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe inspects a military guard of honour after arriving at the parliamentary complex in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)

Supporters of former president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate after a court granted him bail, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Supporters of former president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate after a court granted him bail, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Supporters of former president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate after a court granted him bail, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Supporters of former president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate after a court granted him bail, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Supporters of former president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe celebrate after a court granted him bail, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a first-quarter injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists and Julian Champagnie had 13 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 39 points early in the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points as Milwaukee suffered its third straight loss.

It was the Bucks' second straight lopsided loss after being booed at home during a 139-106 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Wembanyama startled the sellout crowd at the Frost Bank Center and it had nothing to do with his freshly shaved scalp.

He returned to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo's left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama dropped to the court in pain before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

The 7-foot-4 center from France suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to watch from the bench on New Year's Eve but missed the next two games.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 12 minutes, 27 seconds in the second quarter.

San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 35-26 during the second quarter in taking a 66-53 lead at the half. The lead expanded to 37 points in the third quarter as both teams sat their starters to open the fourth.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and Bobby Portis added 13 points for the Bucks.

Bucks: At Atlanta on Monday night.

Spurs: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)