Travel Ban on Mahinda Rajapaksa & Co, lifted

COLOMBO (News 1st); The overseas travel ban on Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Ex-Provincial Council member Kanchana Jayaratne was completely lifted by the Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (17).

A travel ban was imposed on them with regard to the May 9th 2022 clashes involving the Aragalaya.

The court case filed with regard to the May 9th 2022 clashes was called up in the presence of Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage, and several SLPP MPs were also present in court.

Citing that Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Ex-Provincial Council member Kanchana Jayaratne were not named as suspects in the case, President's Counsel Shavendra Fernando requested the court to lift the travel ban imposed on them.

The Magistrate upon hearing the submission ordered to lift the travel ban, and to direct the said order to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

However, the travel ban on two others including MP Milan Jayathilake, the fourth suspect in the case, was extended to the next court date and ordered them to be released on an additional personal bail of Rs. 1 Million.

The Magistrate further ordered that Hewagamage Manjula, Ramesh Bhanuka, Chamath Thivanka, and Nishantha De Mel who were released on bail earlier, to be released from the incident.