The CID today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that no illegal activity had taken place at the Mother Theresa charity “Prem” children´s home at Moratuwa, which was controversially raided by police causing the Catholic Church to boycott government functions.

When the complaint filed against the mother and baby shelter accusing it of child-trafficking, was taken up at court today the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) stated that the children at the home were adopted locally and by foreign nationals “legally”.

A special investigation had been conducted regarding the matter under the instruction of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), CID officers submitting a report to the court stated.

It stated that children were adopted following legal guidelines and had been carried out “only” through the court.

If children at the home had not been registered, it was due to the lack of correct information regarding the children, the CID said.  

Sister Mary Eliza, who had been arrested in connection with the failure to disclose an underage pregnancy at a mother and baby shelter, was also present at court today.

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) submitting a report informed the court that the Attorney General has advised for the release of the sister.

Additional Magistrate Yvonne Fernando thereby ordered the release of Sister Mary Eliza, her passport and also all documents of the “Prem” children´s home seized by the NCPA for investigations purposes.