Despite accusations from social media and opposition parties alleging government inaction against former State Minister Diana Gamage, prosecutors have sought the Attorney General’s instructions to frame charges. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court heard six cases against Gamage yesterday (11th) for violating immigration laws.
The cases, filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), highlight the complexity of Gamage’s legal issues. She faces charges of overstaying in Sri Lanka, illegally applying for a passport, and obtaining a diplomatic passport. The suspect, also known as Nayana Samanmali or Diana Natasha Kekunadura, resides at No. 531/27, Countrybelt Bungalow, Amaragoda Road, Hokandara North.
The Attorney General instructed the CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Division to file six charges under the Immigration and Emigration Act. Gamage appeared in court on bail and was notified by Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala that the charges will be read on August 1, due to the Chief Magistrate being on leave.
The first charge against Gamage involves overstaying in Sri Lanka without a valid visa from July 14, 2016, to July 16, 2017. Additional charges cover similar violations during the periods from July 7, 2017, to July 16, 2018; July 17, 2018, to July 16, 2019; July 17, 2019, to July 16, 2020; and from July 17, 2020, to November 1, 2020. The sixth charge pertains to submitting an application for a passport numbered N5091386 to the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla on or around January 20, 2014, without legal authorization.
The CID also presented Gamage’s diplomatic passport as evidence, which the Magistrate ordered to be kept in the court’s custody.
Gamage’s case is reminiscent of the complex legal challenges faced by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Frontline Socialist Party leader Kumar Gunarathnam, both of whom faced similar charges related to immigration violations. Both Rajapaksa and Gunarathnam received some redress from the court.
