Wimal Weerawansa Acquitted In Passport Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa was acquitted and released today in a case brought forth under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, following proceedings at the Negombo Magistrate Court.

The case stemmed from an incident on October 23rd, 2015, when Weerawansa's passport, submitted to immigration officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport for international travel, was flagged as inactive within the data system.

Subsequently, the MP had produced the inactive passport to the Immigration and Emigration Head Office and obtained a new passport the following day.

He then proceeded to the BIA with the new passport, and the inactive passport, which contained the valid VISA, where he was arrested by officials from the Immigration and Emigration Department.

During the court proceedings, President's Counsel Sarath Jayamanna, representing Weerawansa, underscored the absence of criminal intent, questioning why immediate arrest had not been made if the use of an invalid passport constituted an offense.

Furthermore, evidence presented by immigration officials confirmed that the passport presented by the MP was neither forged nor falsified.

In addition, it was mentioned that an Assistant Superintendent Of Police had given approval to file legal action against the MP, whereas it is a matter for the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration as per the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

Taking into account these key factors, the defense argued for Weerawansa's acquittal without further summoning the defense.

The Negombo Magistrate deliberated on these points and subsequently granted the acquittal.

The defense team, comprising President's Counsel Sarath Jayamanna alongside Attorneys-at-Law Sajeeva Meegawatte, Prashan Wickramaratne, Vineshka Mendis, and Thilini Perera, represented Wimal Weerawansa.