The Colombo Magistrate's Court today (19) directed former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena to formally support his request for the temporary lifting of an existing overseas travel ban imposed on him, by submitting a proper affidavit before the court.

The matter was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama following a motion filed by Gunawardena, who has been named as a suspect in a corruption-related case, Ada Derana reporter said.

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, Attorney-at-Law Jeevantha Jayatilake informed the court that his client needed to travel abroad for a personal matter and requested a temporary suspension of the travel ban currently imposed on him.  

After examining the documents submitted, the Chief Magistrate noted that the affidavit presented in support of the request had been prepared for proceedings before the High Court.

Accordingly, the Magistrate instructed the defense to submit a separate affidavit specifically relating to the case pending before the Magistrate's Court and to provide the necessary facts in support of the request.

In response, the defense counsel informed the court that he would submit the required documents on a future date and would also notify the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) before seeking to substantiate the application.

The case was filed by the CIABOC against former MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena over allegations that he had unlawfully accumulated assets worth more than Rs. 300 million during his tenure as a Member of Parliament.