Several health conditions affecting MP Ravi Karunanayake were detailed before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Monday as his lawyers sought bail following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Attorney-at-Law Ashoka Weerasooriya, appearing for Karunanayake, told court that the former finance minister has five stents in his heart and may require another.
The defence said Karunanayake has suffered from sleep apnoea since 2014 and requires a medical device while sleeping. His lawyer argued that sleeping without the device could expose him to serious heart or lung complications.
Court was also told that Karunanayake suffers from cellulitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection, and that exposure to environments where infections could spread would pose a risk to his health. The defence further said he has uncontrolled diabetes.
A medical report from Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and a detailed list of medications reportedly taken by Karunanayake daily were submitted to court.
The submissions were made as the defence requested bail under any conditions imposed by court.
Karunanayake was arrested by CIABOC after giving a statement for nearly three hours in connection with an investigation into the alleged deployment of three National Lotteries Board recruits for duties outside the institution during his tenure as finance minister.
After considering submissions from both sides, Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusavithana released Karunanayake on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each and imposed an overseas travel ban.
The case will be taken up again on November 3.
