Second forged document case against Shashi Weerawansa fixed for trial

• Case to be  heard on May 2

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The second case filed against Shashi Weerawansa alias  Udayanthi Ranasinghe, the wife of National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader  Wimal Weerawansa for allegedly submitting forged documents to obtain two  passports was yesterday fixed for trial by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s  Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis fixed the case to be  heard on May 2.    

On May 27 last year, Shashi Weerawansa was found  guilty to the first case and she was sentenced to two-year-rigorous  imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 100,000 for obtaining two passports  including a diplomatic passport by submitting forged documents to the  Department of Immigration and Emigration.  

However, she was released on bail upon filing an appeal in the High Court challenging the judgement of the  Magistrate’s Court. 

 
The CID alleged that the accused had submitted a birth  certificate with forged names and dates of birth to obtain those  passports. 

However, the defence is expecting to raise objections against  the charges under Double Jeopardy principle (prosecution of a person  twice for the same offence). Attorney-at-law Buddhika Chandrasekara  appeared for the accused.  

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appeared for the CID.