An Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, who was arrested for allegedly issuing three forged passports for underworld figure – Mandinu Padmasiri alias ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, has been ordered to be held in remand custody until May 29.
He was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (May 27).
(Previous news 2025 May 27 – 12.24.p.m.)
Immigration officer arrested for issuing fake passports to wanted criminal
An Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating the creation of a forged passport for a known organized crime figure, Kelehelbandara Padme, who is currently residing overseas.
According to the Police media spokesman – SSP Buddhika Manatunga.
According to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the suspect is believed to have issued the fraudulent passport without biometric fingerprint data, enabling Kelehelbandara Padme to travel abroad under false documentation.
Investigations have revealed that two other suspects had previously been arrested in connection with the same case.These individuals had allegedly obtained Kelehelbandara Padme’s photograph via WhatsApp, edited it, and submitted it to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to process the forged passport. Authorities confirmed that Kelehelbandara Padme had originally traveled abroad in 2021 using a passport issued in 2014, which expired last year.
However, recent findings had indicated that two additional fake passports were issued this year under different names, both containing Kelehelbandara Padme’s photograph.