Visa scam case to be taken up on November 19

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Ten suspects including a sportsman and two sportswomen who are alleged to have assisted two persons to leave the country on British visas obtained on forged marriage certificates were produced yesterday before the Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Gihan Pilapitiya.

On an application by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) Inspector Rajapakse, the Judge earlier cancelled bail ordered on the fourth suspect Mustaf Mohamed Faizer.

Inspector Rajapakse told Court that the investigators had found several forged visas in the possession of the fourth suspect. The 10 suspects are Amith Dhammika Jayasekera, S.A. Nihal Jayantha, J. Fernando, Mustafa Mohamed Faizer, Ranga Kumar Wimalasena, K.B.D. Prasanna, Chaminda Jayantha, Lalani Irangaki, Geetha Dharsha and Prasanna Sampath.

Earlier, the CCD arrested the kingpin of the visa racket. He had been remanded pending the completion of the investigation, he said.

This key suspect now in custody has been carrying on this racket with the help of leading personalities, CCD officials said.

Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara and Sanjey Gamage appeared for some of the suspects. Kingsley Hettiarachchi appeared for the complainant. The case will be called again on November 19.