April 01, Colombo (LNW): National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa has been acquitted from the case concerning the use of an invalid passport.
The Negombo Magistrate’s Court rendered its verdict today (01), absolving the MP of the charges brought against him.
The legal proceedings stemmed from an incident in 2015, during which Weerawansa attempted to travel abroad using an expired passport.
Subsequently, he procured a renewed passport but was apprehended during a subsequent travel attempt.
Allegations arose when it was discovered that the MP presented an expired passport, containing a valid visa, for travel purposes. However, he was detained only upon attempting to travel with a renewed passport.
In defense, MP Weerawansa’s legal counsel argued that the Immigration officials failed to act during his initial attempt to depart with the expired passport, contrary to their actions during his subsequent travel endeavour with the renewed passport.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that the Immigration and Emigration Department permits the utilisation of a valid visa from an old passport alongside a renewed one for travel.
Considering these aspects, the Negombo Magistrate’s Court exonerated MP Wimal Weerawansa from the case, bringing closure to the legal proceedings.
