Diana’s citizenship case: Tiran asked to intervene

Civil society activist Oshala Herath has, in a letter addressed to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, questioned the failure on the part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce MP Diana Gamage in Fort Magistrate Court over the violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act.

Herath, a defeated UNP candidate, at the last general election, has brought to the notice of Alles the CID’s failure to act despite having informed the Fort Magistrate Court of violations perpetrated by MP Gamage, who held British citizenship.

Having entered Parliament, on the SJB National List, Diana Gamage switched her allegiance to the government. She now serves as a State Minister.

Herath complained to the CID, on 01 Nov., 2020, and the CID furnished the ‘B’ report to Court, in April 2021.

Herath has asked Minister Alles how the CID could refrain from taking the MP into custody after Fort Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis declared that the CID could act in terms of Section 32 of the Penal Code. The Chief Magistrate has said in response to Rienzie Arsecularate, PC, Counsel for Oshala Herath seeking a magisterial intervention.

The Magistrate has further said that the CID couldn’t act contrary to the Penal Code (SF)