'Alleged attempt at transferring apprehended vessel's ownership'

Jayantha de Silva

Police Marine Division told the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday that the owner of a multi day fishing vessel, apprehended with 81 would be illegal migrants to Australia, has allegedly attempted to transfer the vessel's ownership to a second person who is also a suspect.

IP Hewawadu filing a further report told Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli that the suspect Daya Niroshana while travelling in a van with one Peter John Anthony Fernando and two others is alleged to have made the latter to sign some papers in connection with the purported vehicle ownership when the van stopped at a tyre shop.

The suspect's bail application was rejected and was re-remanded till January 2.

Attorney at Law C R de Silva appeared for the suspect.