National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa was acquitted and released from the case filed over the alleged use of two passports by the Negombo Magistrate Court.
The case was filed over MP Weerawansa’s alleged attempt to fly overseas using an expired passport in October 2015.
He had been informed at the airport of the state of the passport.
He had then obtained a new passport and had attempted to travel overseas again during which he had been arrested by officials of the Immigration and Emigration.
MP Weerawansa’s lawyer had informed the Court that the Immigration officials at the airport should have arrested the MP the first time he arrived with an expired passport if it was an offence.
The lawyer also pointed out that the Immigration and Emigration Department has informed that a valid visa on an old passport can be used to travel along with a renewed passport. Taking into consideration these facts, the Negombo Magistrate’s Court acquitted and released MP Weerawansa from the case.
D. Mihindukula