Sri Lanka, Aug. 27 -- Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been advised to undergo urgent heart surgery, according to Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Bellana said that examinations showed Wickremesinghe has a blockage in his coronary arteries and a weakened heart. While surgery should ideally be performed soon, Dr. Bellana noted that the waiting list could be up to three years at the Colombo National Hospital, giving the former President the option to have the procedure done at a private hospital at his own expense.

Wickremesinghe, who was released on bail yesterday by Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, was initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit from the pris...