Police directed to seek AG's advice

Sarath Malalasekera and Charumini de Silva

The Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne yesterday directed the Police to seek instructions from the Attorney General and forward a report to court following arrest of a foreigner who is alleged to have over stayed in Sri Lanka without a valid visa.

This foreigner Pan Jun was arrested by Slave Island police during a night petrol in Colombo.

Police submitted to court that the suspect is an asylum-seeker whose claim for refugee status is being claimed by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee

The UNHCR had also been forwarded a letter to the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Slave Island police that the UNHCR and the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka have an agreement with the respective governments regarding asylum-seekers.

However, according to the Immigration and Emigration Department the suspect had come to Sri Lanka on a tourist visa which was valid only till July 31. Hence, the suspect was remanded till September 19.