The Deputy Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, who was arrested by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau over allegations of issuing a passport without proper verification, has been released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (06).

The suspect was ordered to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each, and the Magistrate also imposed a travel ban on him.

The arrest was made following an investigation conducted by the Fraud Investigation Bureau, based on a directive issued by the Magistrate to the Inspector General of Police in connection with an ongoing case at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court regarding the creation of a fake passport.

According to Police, the case involves an incident where an application containing the photograph of organised crime gang member Hewapedi Gamage Dinuka Chathuranga, also known as 'Kehelwatte Dinuka,' who had been deported from Chennai, India, was processed using another person’s biodata without proper verification, leading to the issuance of a passport.

The suspect was arrested for aiding and abetting an offence under Section 45(2)(1) of the Immigration and Emigration Act, the Police said.