Wimal's Wife Granted Bail in Passport Fraud Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today ordered the release of Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, on bail pending the outcome of her appeal before the Supreme Court in a case relating to the alleged acquisition of an irregular passport.

The matter was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama for the delivery of the verdict relating to the case.

During proceedings, the Chief Magistrate noted that in 2022 Shashi Weerawansa had been convicted under the Immigration and Emigration Act and sentenced to two years' imprisonment in addition to a fine of Rs. 100,000.

The court further observed that an appeal filed by Weerawansa against that conviction had subsequently been dismissed by the Colombo High Court.

At that stage, counsel appearing on behalf of Shashi Weerawansa informed court that his client had already filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the High Court judgment.

The lawyer further stated that the Supreme Court had fixed September 22 to confirm facts relating to the appeal and requested that his client be released on bail until the matter is heard.

After considering the submissions, Chief Magistrate Bodaragama noted that the accused was legally entitled to file an appeal before the Supreme Court within 42 days of the High Court judgment and that she had exercised that right.

Accordingly, the court ordered that Shashi Weerawansa be released on bail pending the hearing of her appeal before the Supreme Court.

The case is scheduled to be called again on September 27.