The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) ordered the release on bail of Shashi Weerawansa, who was convicted under the Immigration and Emigration Act for illegally obtaining a foreign passport.
The order was issued when the case was summoned before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday to read out the verdict in the case.
The Chief Magistrate stated that she had been sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of one hundred thousand rupees in 2022 after being convicted of charges under the Immigration and Emigration Act. The Chief Magistrate also stated that an appeal filed by her against that sentence had been rejected by the Colombo High Court.
However, the lawyer appearing for Ms. Shashi Weerawansa informed the court that her employer had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the High Court decision. Therefore, the lawyer also requested the court to release her employer on bail.
Accordingly, since the defendant has filed an appeal against the High Court decision within 42 days, the Chief Magistrate ordered the release of Shashi Weerawansa on bail, subject to informing the Supreme Court in this regard. The case is scheduled to be taken up again on September 27.