Forged Passport: Immigration Officer Released on Rs. 1Mn Bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (6) granted bail to three suspects, including an Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of forging a passport for a wanted organized criminal.

The suspects are accused of unlawfully facilitating the renewal of a passport for Kehelbaddara Padme, a known organized crime figure currently believed to be hiding in Dubai. 

The passport in question had expired on November 9, 2024, and was allegedly renewed without Padme being physically present, in violation of standard procedures.

Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered that each suspect be released on two personal sureties of Rs. 1 million.

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspects and instructed them to surrender their passports to the court.

The case has been scheduled to be taken up again on November 13, 2025.