Two arrested for fraudulently obtaining passports for ’Kehelbaddara Padme’

Colombo, May 24 (Daily Mirror)- Two individuals have been arrested for obtaining two passports for notorious underworld figure Koralagamage Mandinu Padmasiri alia ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ by providing fake information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

Police said the suspects aged 32 and 51 had obtained a photograph of Kehelbaddara Padme through WhatsApp and provided it fraudulently to the Immigration and Emigration Department after editing it.

The suspects are owners of studios located in Battaramulla and Kohuwala and residents of Ehaliyagoda and  Maligawatte.

Investigations have revealed that 'Kehelbaddara Padme' had left the country in 2021 using a passport issued in 2014 and that his passport had expired in 2024. However, he had obtained a new passport in 2024 by fraudulently  providing his photograph and details  while being overseas.

He had also obtained two other passports in  2025 under two other names with his photographs.

The suspects were remanded till May 29 after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.