by AJA Abeynayake
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday said it would not issue an order for the arrest of State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage over the offences committed under the Immigration and Emigration Act.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis said no order would be issued as the CID had powers under the law to arrest the State Minister.
The lawyers representing the petitioners including civil activist Oshala Herath had pointed out during an earlier hearing that even though sufficient evidence had been provided the CID had failed to arrest the State Minister. A request was made from the court to issue an order prompting the CID to arrest State Minister Diana Gamage for breaching the Immigration and Emigration Act.
Yesterday, the Court said investigators were vested with powers under the law to arrest the State Minister with regard to the relevant offence and therefore it was not necessary for the court to issue a further order on the matter.
A petition filed against State Minister of Tourism Gamage challenging her citizenship and right to hold a Parliamentary seat was taken up for consideration yesterday.
