The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a show-cause notice to the OIC of the Anti-Human Smuggling Investigation Bureau (ASIB) attached to the CID directing him to explain the progress of investigations into a B report filed against State Minister Diana Gamage regarding a complaint that she had obtained a Sri Lankan passport after furnishing false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

In 2021, the CID filed a B report in the Chief Magistrate’s Court against Diana Gamage. The report was filed on the basis that she is a British citizen residing in Sri Lanka without dual citizenship status.

 

A group of lawyers led by Senior Counsel Gunaratne Wanninayake in a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate alleged that the CID has failed to initiate a credible investigation against the State Minister since 2001 for allegedly committing offences coming under the Penal Code and Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

After being satisfied with the submissions made by the lawyers, Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe issued notice to the OIC of the Anti-Human Smuggling Investigation Bureau to appear in Court on November 10 to explain the progress of the investigation into the incident.

 

The CID had commenced investigations into this incident following a complaint lodged by social activist Oshala Herath who contested the 2020 General Election under the UNP ticket (Colombo District).

 

According to the B report filed before the court, the CID alleged that investigations would be carried out against parliamentarian Diana Gamage under section 175 of the Penal Code for furnishing false information and under sections 45(1)(a) and 45(1)(c) of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act (IEA) for remaining in Sri Lanka in contravention of the provisions of the IEA and making a false representation.

 

Oshala Herath filed a written complaint with CID on November 2, 2020. In his complaint, she alleged that parliamentarian Diana Gamage had fraudulently obtained an official Sri Lankan passport without disclosing her British citizenship. The CID had initially informed the court that they had already recorded a statement from the complainant in respect of his written complaint. Furthermore, his statement was accompanied by supporting documents.

 

According to the B report, the CID had recorded statements from officials attached to the Department of Immigrants and Emigrants, Thimbirigasyaya and Dehiwala divisional secretariat offices and relevant Grama Niladhari officers in order to ascertain the authenticity of the documents furnished by the parliamentarian including her birth certificate.

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