Warrant not required for Diana Gamage’s arrest – Magistrate

Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis observed that a warrant will not be required to arrest the State Minister Diana Gamage, if she has committed offences under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

The Magistrate made these observations when the case filed against the State Minister Diana Gamage was taken up for consideration before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The Magistrate further observed that it was clear that MP Diana Gamage had obtained a Sri Lankan passport by producing two different birth certificates to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The Magistrate also noted that the CID can take necessary actions against the State Minister under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

The Magistrate also questioned the CID officers whether MP Diana Gamage producing two fake birth certificates to obtain a passport was not considered an offence under the Immigration and Emigration Law.

Accordingly, the CID officers have not responded to the question raised by the Magistrate and remained silent in the court.

President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne appearing on behalf of the complainant party stated that if a normal person has committed such an offence under the Immigration and Emigration Law, immediate legal action would have been taken against the said individual.

“However, no such emergency is being seen in this case owing to the fact that it concerns a State Minister,” he added. The Magistrate fixed further inquiries for March 2.