10 February 2023 09:13 am Views - 98
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday observed that CID can take action against State Minister Diana Gamage for allegedly committing offences under Immigrants and Emigrants Act even without an arrest warrant issued by a court.
Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis further observed that there is sufficient evidence before Court to support that State Minister Diana Gamage has obtained a Sri Lankan passport after furnishing two different birth certificates.
President’s Counsel Rienzie Arseculeratne with counsel Udara Muhandiramge appearing for the complainant sought an order for the arrest of State Minister Diana Gamage for committing offences under Immigrants and Emigrants Act. They argued that the B reports submitted by CID had revealed State Minister Diana Gamage has committed a number of offences coming under Penal Code and Immigrants and Emigrants Act for furnishing false information to obtain a passport.
However, the Defence Counsel that appeared on behalf of the State Minister raised objections for the request and argued that it is too early to issue an arrest order while investigations are pending into the incident.
Further magisterial inquiry was fixed for March 2.
In 2021, the CID had filed a B report in the Chief Magistrate’s Court against Diana Gamage over a complaint that she is a British citizen residing in Sri Lanka without a dual citizenship status.
The CID had commenced investigations into this incident subsequent to a complaint lodged by social activist Oshala Herath.