Colombo, Aug. 27 -- A Sri Lankan court has granted bail to former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in remand custody over allegations of misusing public funds. Wickremesinghe joined the proceedings virtually from the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital, amid tight security and protests outside the court premises.

The hearing, presided over by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, was conducted through Zoom. The former president was arrested last week by the police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He was taken to the main Magazine Remand prison after the Colombo Fort magistrate's court remanded him till August 26.

Initially admitted to the prison hospital, Wickremesinghe was later transferred to th...