The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has directed that a request made by former Member of Parliament Sajin Vaas Gunawardena seeking a temporary relaxation of his overseas travel ban must be supported with a properly affidavit.

The order was issued today when a motion filed by the suspect was called before Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Appearing for Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Attorney Jivanta Jayathilaka informed court that his client wished to travel abroad for a personal matter and requested that the existing travel restriction be temporarily lifted.

After reviewing the documents submitted, the Chief Magistrate noted that the affidavit presented in support of the request had been filed in relation to a High Court matter rather than the current Magistrate’s Court proceedings.

Accordingly, the Magistrate instructed the defence counsel to submit a separate affidavit specifically addressing the Magistrate’s Court case in order to properly substantiate the request.

The defence counsel subsequently informed court that, with proper documentation, steps would be taken to notify the Bribery Commission and re-submit the request.

The Bribery Commission has filed proceedings before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court against former MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena over allegations that he unlawfully accumulated assets exceeding Rs. 300 million during his tenure as a Member of Parliament.