The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today (10) that the current Cabinet of Ministers has decided to review the legality of agreements entered into during the previous government period for assigning the issuance of electronic visas to private companies.
The announcement was made by Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing for the Attorney General, during the hearing of fundamental rights petitions filed by former MPs M.A. Sumanthiran and Patali Champika Ranawaka, along with current MP Rauff Hakeem.
The petitions challenge the earlier Cabinet decision to hand over the eVisa process to private firms.
The case was taken up before a three‑judge bench comprising Chief Justice Prireethi Padman Surasena, Justice Achala Wengappuli, and Justice Arjuna Obeyesekere.
The Additional Solicitor General told the court that a sub‑committee has been appointed by the present Cabinet to examine the legality of the agreements, and requested time to update the court on the progress.
Presenting facts in court, Petitioner M.A. Sumanthiran, noted that although the current government has decided to cancel the transaction, the petitioners intend to continue with the case.
He also pointed out that members of the present Cabinet have been named as respondents.
The bench ordered that notices be issued to the Cabinet members and directed that the petition be called again on September 29. (Newswire)