Chief Magistrate bans Diana Gamage from leaving country without Court approval

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe yesterday (11) issued an injunction banning State Minister Diana Gamage from leaving the country without authorisation from the Court.

The ban was imposed when the Court considered a complaint filed by social activist Oshala Herath alleging that the State Minister’s identity documents, including her passport, birth certificate and the National Identity Card (NIC) have been obtained by providing false information.

Several lawyers told the Court that State Minister Gamage was suspected of several wrongdoings. Among them was the allegation that she has obtained a passport providing false information. The lawyers claimed that State Minister Gamage was attempting to flee the country. Magistrate Amarasinghe, takiing their submissions into consideration, banned the State Minister from leaving the country without Court approval. He also instructed Court officials to inform his decision to the Immigration and Emigration Controller.

The Magistrate instructed the CID to submit a report on the progress in investigations into allegations that State Minister Gamage has dual citizenship by 15 December.