By Roy Denish
The Karuna Amman fake passport case has resurfaced in Colombo court proceedings, with prosecutors outlining allegations disputed by the defence.
COLOMBO – Allegations surrounding the clandestine departure of former LTTE commander and Cabinet Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, widely known as Karuna Amman, have resurfaced in proceedings before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, raising fresh questions about the alleged involvement of Sri Lankan military intelligence officers in arranging fraudulent diplomatic travel documents.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the Attorney General’s Department, informed the court that investigators were examining allegations concerning the procurement of a forged diplomatic passport used by Karuna Amman to enter the United Kingdom in 2007.
The allegations emerged during proceedings involving former State Intelligence Service Director, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, in connection with continuing investigations surrounding the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
A Diplomatic Passport Under a False Identity
According to the historical allegations, Karuna Amman travelled to the United Kingdom using a diplomatic passport issued under an assumed identity.
The original account identifies the name as Kokila Dushmantha Gunawardena and associates the purported identity with Sri Lanka’s wildlife administration.
However, recent court reporting has described the alleged passport holder as Dushmantha Gunawardena, purportedly a former official of the Ministry of Environment.
The discrepancy between the historical descriptions and the latest court accounts requires examination of the original passport, immigration records and official departmental correspondence.
Historical accounts identify diplomatic passport number D 1944260, reportedly issued on 30 August 2007, as the document used in the alleged operation.
Escape from a Dangerous Political Environment
Karuna Amman had broken away from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in March 2004, triggering a major rupture within the separatist organisation.
His departure from the LTTE leadership led to violent confrontations between rival factions in the Eastern Province, where Karuna and his associates attempted to consolidate political and military influence.
Against this background, allegations subsequently emerged that politically connected individuals and intelligence personnel had facilitated his departure from Sri Lanka.
Historical reporting linked the arrangements to individuals serving within the country’s defence establishment.
Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa previously denied allegations concerning his involvement.
Arrest and Imprisonment in Britain
Karuna Amman was arrested by British authorities in November 2007 after entering the United Kingdom using a fraudulent passport.
He subsequently faced legal proceedings relating to immigration and passport offences.
Following imprisonment and deportation, he returned to Sri Lanka, entered mainstream politics and became associated with the governing coalition led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He was later appointed to Parliament through the National List and received ministerial responsibilities.
New Allegations Before Colombo Court
During the latest proceedings, prosecutors referred to allegations that intelligence officers, including Suresh Sallay, had facilitated Karuna Amman’s travel arrangements.
The defence has disputed the accusation.
Counsel representing Sallay reportedly argued that his client was in France during the relevant period and questioned how he could have organised the passport arrangements while residing overseas.
The defence also challenged the evidence relating to the alleged travel documents.
These submissions demonstrate that the allegations remain contested and have not been judicially established.
Investigation Widens
The proceedings have also examined statements concerning former Minister Douglas Devananda and alleged connections involving individuals associated with the Karuna and Pillayan factions.
Separately, prosecutors sought permission for eight investigators to record statements from three individuals convicted in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.
Those individuals reportedly claimed that other persons responsible for the attacks remained at large.
The application concerned a period extending from 22 October to 8 November 2026.
The proceedings involving Sallay are scheduled to return to court on 25 November 2026.
The renewed attention to Karuna Amman’s passport has reopened questions surrounding the relationship between intelligence operations, political authority and accountability during Sri Lanka’s conflict.
However, responsibility for arranging the fraudulent document remains a matter for investigation and judicial determination.
Sources
- Newsfirst — Army Informant Identified Sarah Jasmine Before Attacks, 21 October 2026
- Newswire — Easter Attacks: CID Probes Claims by Three Convicts, 22 October 2026
- Lanka News Web — CID Investigates Easter Attack Convicts’ Claims, 22 October 2026
- LankaNewz — Easter Case Against Suresh Sallay Adjourned to 25 November
