CID asks British HC for Diana’s citizenship info

Following the order issued by the Colombo Magistrate's Court in January 2023, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has requested a report from the British High Commission (HC) on the citizenship of State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage.

Social activist Oshala Herath, who filed the complaint with the CID alleging that Gamage's Passport, national identity card (NIC) and Birth Certificate are fake, based on which the relevant case is being heard at the Colombo Magistrate's Court, told The Daily Morning that he had come to know that the CID, through the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had requested the relevant report from the British HC.

“About a week ago, I made an inquiry about this. Then I came to know that the CID had made the relevant request following the prescribed protocols, but had not received the report as of then. However, the British HC had not stated that the report could not be given. There is only a delay. The CID may have received the report by now. It can be known for sure on the next Court date though." he explained.

Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa was not available for comment.

The Colombo Magistrate's Court ordered the CID on 5 January to obtain a report from the British HC regarding the citizenship of Gamage as soon as possible and conduct the related investigations. Stating that it would be easier for the Court to issue the relevant orders after the receipt of the report from the British HC, Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis stated at that time that it was not appropriate to issue an order to arrest the suspect (Gamage) and produce before the Court until then.

A complaint had been filed by Herath with the CID in 2021, alleging that Gamage's Passport, NIC and Birth Certificate were fake. Following a group of lawyers including Attorney-at-Law Gunaratna Wanninayake informing the Court through a motion that the CID had not informed the Court of any investigation into the complaint, the CID first reported facts regarding the related investigations to the Colombo Magistrate Court on 27 October 2022.