Shashi Weerawansa case over diplomatic passport fixed for July 24

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, May 25 (Daily Mirror) - The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered that further evidence in the case filed against Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, over allegations of obtaining an irregular diplomatic passport by submitting forged documents, be taken up on July 24.

The case was taken up today before Colombo Magistrate Liyan Warusawithana, during which the accused, Shashi Weerawansa, who is currently out on bail, appeared before court.

When the matter was previously taken up, counsel appearing for the defence informed court that prior to the commencement of the leading of evidence in the case, the defence required access to examine the computer system relating to the computer-generated documents connected to the proceedings.

Defence counsel further stated that the trial could not proceed, as such access had not yet been granted under the Evidence Ordinance.

However, when the case was taken up today, the Deputy Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department informed court that the documents referred to by the defence were not computer-generated documents, but rather documents that had merely been scanned and stored in the data system.

The Deputy Solicitor General further stated that a notice under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act, enabling the defence to obtain the access sought to inspect the relevant computer system, would be furnished to court today.

Responding to the submission, counsel appearing for the defence stated that they intended to make submissions in this regard by way of a motion.