Buddahima Wajirapani Fined K100,000 Over Unlawful Stay in Malawi

A Lilongwe Magistrate Court has convicted Buddahima Wajirapani, a 53-year-old Sri Lankan national, over his stay in Malawi without valid immigration documents, according to Maravi Post. The report says Wajirapani was arrested by officers from the Regional Immigration Office in the Centre after he failed to regularise his status. He had reportedly been living in Malawi without valid documentation since 2023. The court imposed a fine of K100,000. If he does not pay, he faces six months in prison with hard labour, the report states. He was also directed to regularise his stay within 90 days, or face possible deportation. The case was brought under Section 21(1), read together with Section 37(d), of Malawi’s Immigration Act. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services used the case to remind foreign nationals living in the country to keep their immigration status valid and comply with local laws. The report does not provide further details about Wajirapani’s circumstances or say whether he has begun the process of regularising his stay. His next steps will determine whether he can remain in Malawi under lawful status, or whether the deportation warning becomes relevant.