Former Norwegian Peace Envoy Erik Solheim Calls for Immediate Release of Ranil Wickremesinghe

LankaXpress – Former Norwegian peace envoy to Sri Lanka and renowned diplomat Erik Solheim has urged Sri Lankan authorities to immediately release former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressing deep concern over his health during detention.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Solheim stated that he stands with leaders in Sri Lanka, South Asia, and around the world in calling for Wickremesinghe’s release. He praised Wickremesinghe’s leadership during Sri Lanka’s economic and political collapse in 2022, noting that the former president “stood up to save Sri Lanka when the nation reached rock bottom.”

“The accusations against Ranil are without merit,” Solheim wrote, adding that even if true, they “would not constitute any criminal or even unacceptable behavior in Europe.”

While voicing full support for Sri Lanka’s campaign against corruption, Solheim urged authorities to focus on “real issues” rather than targeting Wickremesinghe.

Wickremesinghe, who served as Sri Lanka’s head of state from 2022 to 2024, was arrested earlier this week over allegations of misusing government funds to attend a university ceremony in London in 2023. His arrest has sparked significant local and international reactions, with several political leaders and diplomats expressing solidarity and concern over his detention.