Fort Magistrate Pasan Amaraseena has instructed authorities to ensure that Chinese suspects are produced before courts with the assistance of interpreters.

Accordingly, instructions have been given to send a letter to the Inspector General of Police requesting all police stations to provide interpreter assistance when presenting Chinese nationals before courts.

The issue arose when a Chinese national arrested by the Kompanna Veediya Police for possessing 16 foreign cigarettes illegally was produced before court without a suitable interpreter to explain the charges.

The lack of a proper interpreter caused difficulties in court proceedings. The Magistrate questioned the police regarding how statements were recorded from the suspect and how charges were explained without language assistance.

The Magistrate also questioned whether foreign suspects were being arrested and presented before court without ensuring that they understood the legal process.

Later, another Chinese national present in the courtroom assisted as an interpreter. After the charges were explained, the suspect pleaded guilty.

The Magistrate subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 2,000 on the suspect.