Jan 21, Colombo: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today has revealed to the courts the contacts of the Swiss Embassy employee Gania Banister Francis, who claimed that she was abducted and questioned by an unidentified group in a white vehicle.

CID informed the court that Gania Francis using a sim card under the name Lakna Paranamanna has contacted former Director of the CID Shani Abeysekara, former CID Inspector Nishantha Silva, who had fled to Switzerland, the former chairman of the Lake House Krishantha Cooray and former Observer editor Darisha Bastian over the phone.

The CID also informed court that Darisha Bastian and Krishantha Cooray had gone abroad and Shani Abeysekara has been summoned to record a statement on the 23rd of this month.

Accordingly, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered the CID to send Ganiya’s mobile phone to the Government Analyst and obtain an analysis report.

The defense counsel stated that according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Privileges, her mobile phone cannot be checked.

The Magistrate stated that Ms. Francis is only entitled to the privileges of the Vienna Convention recognized by the Government of Sri Lanka and examining her mobile phone is not against her privileges.

The magistrate postponed the case until the 11th of February.

Gania Banister Francis has been accused of lying to embarrass the government and fabricating evidence in her abduction claim. She has been released on bail.