The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Illukpitiya, who has been in remand custody for over 10 months, on Tuesday unconditionally apologized to the Supreme Court after being charged with contempt for failing to execute a court order tied to the controversial VFS e-visa deal.

The Supreme Court has scheduled his sentencing for July 24.

Illukpitiya admitted to disregarding the court’s directive, a central issue in ongoing legal proceedings concerning the e-visa contract that has drawn widespread criticism over alleged corruption and irregularities.

The petition was filed by former ministers Rauff Hakeem and Patali Champika Ranawaka, along with former MP Sumanthiran, who collectively condemned the failure to uphold judicial authority. Hakeem emphasized that state officials must comply with court orders, stating that objections should be pursued only after execution.

Former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka expressed deeper concerns about the e-visa agreement, claiming it had been in effect since 2023 and had caused a financial loss of approximately Rs. 3.71 billion to the state. He argued that contempt of court was only a symptom of a larger fraudulent scheme.

Ranawaka also questioned why a forensic audit into the visa deal, which Parliament called for on July 12, 2024, has yet to be made public. He suggested the delay signals an attempt by the current administration, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to protect those allegedly involved.

The former minister previously voiced concern over President Dissanayake’s close ties with former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who is believed to have played a key role in the e-visa contract.

Ranawaka urged the public to demand full transparency and remain vigilant against what he described as continued efforts to conceal corruption.

Harsha Ilukpitiya has been in remand custody since September after the Supreme Court ordered him to be remanded for failing to implement the Court’s order regarding the controversial visa issuance system by the global visa processing service, VFS Global.

The visa issuance system by VFS Global and its charges came under the spotlight after a local passenger had raised concerns over the process, with the video of the incident widely circulated on social media.

A probe launched by the Committee on Public Finance also found that VFS Global had been selected without calling for official bids and had resulted in the Department of Immigration and Emigration losing out on receiving competitive rates for visa issuance.

In August last year, 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, a VFS VF Worldwide Holdings LTD-led consortium.

The court ordered the reinstatement of the previous quick Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) process, which the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, failed to comply with, resulting in his arrest. (Newswire)

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The Supreme Court has rejected a bail application filed on behalf of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, who is in remand custody over contempt of court charges. 

Harsha Ilukpitiya has been in remand custody for nearly six months after the Supreme Court ordered him to be remanded in September 2025 for failing to implement the Court’s order regarding the controversial visa issuance system by global visa processing service, VFS Global.

The visa issuance system by global visa processing service, VFS Global and its charges came under the spotlight last year after a local passenger had raised concerns over the process, with the video of the incident widely circulated on social media.

A probe launched by the Committee on Public Finance also found that VFS Global had been selected without calling for official bids and had resulted in the Department of Immigration and Emigration losing out on receiving competitive rates for visa issuance.

In August last year, 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, a VFS VF Worldwide Holdings LTD-led consortium.

The court ordered the reinstatement of the previous quick Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) process, which the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, failed to comply with, resulting in his arrest. 

The lack of a proper visa issuance system at the time severely inconvenienced tourists visiting Sri Lanka, with long queues regularly reported at the visa counters at the Katunayake Airport. (Newswire)

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced that the validity period of passports expiring after 01 July will not be extended by a year, as previously announced. 

According to Daily FT, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya confirmed that the validity of expired passports cannot be extended by a year.

He further said that the decision has been made after seeking clarification from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in this regard.

“On the possibility of extending the validity of already expired or nearly expired passports, the ICAO said such extensions could pose problems for individuals at border entry points due to the limited advancement of the Sri Lankan passport,”  Harsha Ilukpitiya said. 

He further pointed out that the ICAO had permitted such extensions only during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that such extensions are no longer available.

The Immigration and Emigration Controller General gave a clarification, after it was recently reported that the validity period of passports expiring after 01 July will be extended by a year.

At the time it was reported that the measures were being taken in view of the e-passport system which is to come into effect in November this year.

It was also reported that specifically if a passport’s 10-year validity period has expired, an additional one-year grace period will be granted until the e-passport is issued.

However, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya has shot down the reports, claiming that such passport extensions or grace periods will not be provided. 

He added that the Immigration and Emigration Department will issue the usual passports for those expired. (Newswire)

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration has taken several measures in view of the e-passport system which is to come into effect in November this year.

Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said, therefore, the validity period of passports expiring after 01 July has been extended by a year. 

He further said specifically, that if a passport’s 10-year validity period has expired, an additional one-year grace period will be granted until the e-passport is issued.

Stating that e-passports are scheduled to be issued starting in November, he urged passport holders to obtain their e-passports promptly. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has introduced a new “NOMAD” visa for foreigners in the online work field, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said. 

Addressing the media yesterday, Ilukpitiya said that the new visa will allow those who are working online to work from Sri Lanka.

Announcing changes made to other visas offered to foreigners, Ilukpitiya said travellers in Sri Lanka who wish to extend their visas can apply for their Tourist visas online from their own country for the entire period of stay in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, investors can obtain visas to stay in Sri Lanka for a period ranging from 10 to 15 years.

Permanent Resident (PR) Visas will also be introduced for those who wish to permanently move to Sri Lanka, he said. 

Ilukpitiya further said that discussions are underway with VFS Global, a visa consultancy firm with branches in 145 countries, for their assistance in obtaining tourist visas for foreigners travelling to Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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Online applications for passports can be submitted from next Thursday (June 15), the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya announced today.

The implementation of an online passport application system is part of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative to digitize public services in Sri Lanka.

The new process aims to streamline the passport application process and ensure that passports are delivered to applicants’ residences within a span of three days.

To facilitate the efficient delivery of passports, 50 regional secretariats across the island have been equipped with the necessary facilities. 

According to the system, once applicants submit their relevant applications to the nearest Regional Secretariat and complete the required procedures, the passport will be dispatched to their residence via courier service.

Individuals can conveniently apply for passports from their homes by visiting www.immigration.gov.lk, selecting the ‘Apply for passports’ option and validating the provided information, applicants will receive the necessary application form. 

Before uploading the soft copy of the form, applicants can specify whether they prefer the expedited ’03 day service’ or the standard ’02 week service.’

Following this, applicants must visit their Divisional Secretariat to provide their fingerprints and make the required payment via the online system offered by the Bank of Ceylon. 

Those unable to complete the process at home can visit an authorized photo studio under the Immigration and Emigration Department to obtain the necessary documents and fulfil the requirements.

In case individuals encounter difficulties making online payments after visiting the Divisional Secretariat and providing their fingerprints, alternative payment facilities are available. 

After submitting their fingerprints, the Divisional Secretariat will provide a designated number, which can be presented to the Bank of Ceylon. The amount due will then be transferred to the Immigration and Emigration Department.

This initiative comes in response to reports of brokers causing disruptions in the passport issuance process. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative to digitize public services includes the implementation of an online passport application system in the coming days, the Immigration and Emigration Controller General, Harsha Ilukpitiya announced.

Harsha Ilukpitiya stated that this new process aims to streamline the passport application process and ensure that passports are delivered to applicants’ residences within a span of three days.

According to the Presidential Media Division (PMD), Harsha Ilukpitiya highlighted the development of this procedure and its wide availability during his appearance on the ‘101 Katha’ program produced by the PMD.

To facilitate the efficient delivery of passports, 50 regional secretariats across the island have been equipped with the necessary facilities. Once applicants submit their relevant applications to the nearest Regional Secretariat and complete the required procedures, the passport will be dispatched to their residence via courier service within three days.

This initiative comes in response to reports of brokers causing disruptions in the passport issuance process. As a result, Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, issued instructions to the Immigration and Emigration Department to develop an innovative program to eliminate such interference. 

The department aims to popularize this newly designed program during the month of June, marking a significant milestone in its history. Achieving a successful execution of this program during the department’s 75th anniversary next year would be a remarkable accomplishment.

Under the new system, individuals can conveniently apply for passports from their homes by visiting www.immigration.gov.lk, selecting the ‘Apply for passports’ option and validating the provided information, applicants will receive the necessary application form. Before uploading the soft copy of the form, applicants can specify whether they prefer the expedited ’03 day service’ or the standard ’02 week service.’

Following this, applicants must visit their Divisional Secretariat to provide their fingerprints and make the required payment via the online system offered by the Bank of Ceylon. Those unable to complete the process at home can visit an authorized photo studio under the Immigration and Emigration Department to obtain the necessary documents and fulfil the requirements.

In case individuals encounter difficulties making online payments after visiting the Divisional Secretariat and providing their fingerprints, alternative payment facilities are available. After submitting their fingerprints, the Divisional Secretariat will provide a designated number, which can be presented to the Bank of Ceylon. The amount due will then be transferred to the Immigration and Emigration Department.

To support these efforts, fingerprint scanners and cameras have been deployed in the 50 Divisional Secretariat Offices, and the Department of Posts has introduced a dedicated courier service. 

Through a collaborative arrangement with the postal service, passports will be delivered to applicants’ residences using this courier service, ensuring a swift three-day turnaround.

Furthermore, comprehensive measures have been implemented to prevent any irregularities in the process, with the utilization of advanced technology to the fullest extent possible to maintain efficiency and integrity. (NewsWire)

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