UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa, who was arrested by the CID over possession of two passports, was released on bail by Negombo Additional Magistrate Thilakaratne Bernard.

He was released on a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties of Rs. one million each.

Weerawansa was stopped from leaving the country this morning over a passport discrepancy and was detained by the CID. He was arrested later in the day.

He arrived at the airport to board a flight for Rome, Italy. He was to visit Europe for a lecture series.

Speaking to media earlier in the day, Weerawansa said that he recently lost his passport and had obtained a new one. Later he found the lost passport and had mistakenly sent it to stamp the visa. However in this period he also lost the passport he had newly obtained, Weerawansa further maintained.

According to Weerawansa, the Immigration officers had told him that if he was able to get new passport, he could travel with the Visa stamped in the old passport. Thereafter, he had visited the Immigration and Emigration office in Colombo and obtained a new passport. Then he had returned to BIA with the rejected old passport and the new passport.

CID officers, who were present at the time stopped and questioned him, Weerawansa said.