Friday, June 23, 2017

Shashi Weerawansa obtained National Identity Card at 39 - NIC Dept Official

Lakmal Sooriyagoda-Friday, June 23, 2017
Registration of Persons Department Assistant Commissioner Indika Kumara Herath told court that
Shashi Weerawansa had applied for a National Identity Card (NIC) in 2010 as a person applying for a NIC for the first time.
Herath giving evidence in court said Weerawansa had submitted her application for an NIC at the age of 39 as a person who never obtained one. Herath was giving evidence in connection with two cases filed against Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa at the Magistrate’s Court Colombo yesterday.
The CID had filed two charge sheets against Shashi Weerawansa that she had fraudulently obtained two passports including a diplomatic passport by submitting forged documents to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Assistant Commissioner Indika Kumara Herath whose evidence was led by Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris told court that his department had not initiated any inquiry against Shashi Weerawansa for not obtaining a NIC even until the age of 39 which is declared as a punishable offence under the Act.
The witness had earlier informed Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara that an article published on Ravaya newspaper had revealed the accused had possessed two identity cards under two different numbers indicating that she was born in 1967 and 1971.
The case was fixed for further trial on July 31. The witness is to be cross-examined on next trial date.On a previous occasion, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) filed a charge sheet against Shashi Weerawansa under two counts.
Shashi Weerawansa was arrested on February, 2015 over the charge of obtaining diplomatic and general passports illegally. She had allegedly submitted birth certificate with forged names and dates of birth to obtain those passports. She is currently out on bail.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, Chief Inspector Jayantha and Police Constable Ganegedara of CID prosecuted. President’s Counsel Anil de Silva with Jayantha Weerasinghe PC appeared for the accused.