Visa issue : Immigration Controller General ordered to appear before SC

September 13, 2024 at 12:32 PM

The Supreme Court has directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear before court in person for not implementing a previous order.

The order had suspended a Cabinet decision related to the online and expatriate visa services in Sri Lanka.

The Controller General had cited practical difficulties in enforcing the Supreme Court’s directive, the court was informed, when motions filed over the matter were taken up for consideration.

However, the three-judge bench had observed that failing to comply with the court order could be seen as contempt of court.

In August, the Supreme Court issued an Interim Order, temporarily halting the Cabinet’s decision to outsource its visa application process to GBS Technology Services & IVS Global- FZCO, VFS VF Worldwide Holdings LTD led consortium.

This suspension was to remain in effect until the petitions are finally resolved.

The Supreme Court also issued an interim injunction on the implementation of the agreements with the two foreign entities.

Several fundamental rights petition were filed in the Supreme Court calling for action against the procedural violations and abuse of public trust by officials in the procurement of private entities to handle the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for the issuance of visas for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. (Newswire)