News

Arrested immigration officer, remanded (Update)

Published

3 weeks ago

May 27, 2025

editor

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.

News

Vraie Cally Balthazaar elected Colombo Mayor

Published

13 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

National People’s Power (NPP)’s Vraie Cally Balthazaarhas been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council.

Following a closely contested secret ballot today (June 16), Balthazaar secured 61 votes, narrowly defeating Riza Zarook of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who received 54 votes.

The ballot was held since no single party obtained a clear majority at the recently concluded Local Government polls.

Meanwhile, Hemantha Kumara of the National People’s Power (NPP) was proposed as the Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council and was elected unopposed.

News

Senior official from Justice Ministry gives statement to CID

Published

56 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

A senior official from the Ministry of Justice has given a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the alleged unlawful release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison under a presidential pardon granted for Vesak Poya.

Meanwhile, CID teams have been deployed to all 28 prisons across the island to investigate possible misuse of presidential pardons in the recent past.

Investigations are currently underway, and both the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent and the Commissioner General of Prisons remain in remand over the incident.

News

Committee probing Deshabandu to convene daily from today

Published

58 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The high-level Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon will commence daily hearings starting today (June 16) until the conclusion of the inquiry.

Accordingly, IGP Tennakoon appeared before the committee at 9.30 a.m. today continuing a process that began with his initial appearance in May.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice P. P. Surasena, includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

The committee has previously convened on several occasions and recorded statements from IGP Tennakoon and several others.

On June 11, the committee of inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, cross-examined the witnesses.