Visa racket: Three suspects released

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Gihan Pilapitiya on Wednesday released three suspects who had been remanded in connection with a visa racket on the direction by the Attorney General.

The three suspects are Amith Dhammika Jayasekera, S. Fernando and Chaminda Jayantha.

The other suspects in the case are Mohamed Faizer, Ranga Kumara Wimalasena, Geetha Dharsha and Prasanna Sampath. They were remanded till April 2.

They have allegedly prepared a forged marriage certificate and obtained visas from an embassy in Colombo for two persons seeking entry to the UK.

Earlier the CCD arrested the kingpin of the visa racket. He had been remanded pending the completion of ongoing investigation, Colombo Crime Division Director Senior SP Anura Senanayake said.

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

Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara, Sanjey Gamage appeared for some of the suspects.

Kingsley Hettiarachchi appeared for the complainant.

The case will be called again on April 2.