August 20, Colombo (LNW): Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, has been granted anticipatory bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court while she awaits the hearing of her appeal before the Supreme Court against a two-year jail sentence imposed in connection with a forged passport case.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order today (20), when the matter was taken up for the court to deliver its decision. Weerawansa was present in court when the order was made.
The case dates back to 2022, when the Colombo Magistrate’s Court found her guilty under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act of unlawfully obtaining a passport. She was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison and fined Rs.100,000.
Her challenge to that ruling was later dismissed by the Colombo High Court. However, her lawyers told the Magistrate’s Court that a further appeal had since been lodged with the Supreme Court against the High Court judgment.
Counsel informed court that the Supreme Court is expected to consider the appeal next month and requested that Weerawansa remain out of custody until the higher court determines the matter.
The Chief Magistrate noted that the appeal had been submitted within the prescribed 42-day period available to a defendant seeking to challenge a High Court ruling before the Supreme Court.
Taking these circumstances into account, the court ordered her release on anticipatory bail, while directing that the Supreme Court be notified of the decision.
The case has been scheduled to return before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 27 September.