The Supreme Court has remanded Immigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya until the conclusion of his contempt case. Ilukpitiya is accused of failing to comply with a court order issued on August 2, 2024, which mandated the reinstatement of the previous quick Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) process.
The court had earlier suspended a Cabinet decision to outsource Sri Lanka’s visa operations to a private consortium, but Ilukpitiya did not implement this directive claiming practical difficulties.
The contempt charges were filed following a petition submitted by Parliamentarians M.A. Sumanthiran, Patali Champika Ranawaka, and Rauff Hakeem. After the charges were read out in open court, Ilukpitiya pleaded not guilty.
Appearing on behalf of the Immigration Controller, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha argued that his client had made efforts to implement the court’s interim order, issued on August 2, but encountered practical and technical difficulties.
He further noted that Ilukpitiya had not intentionally disregarded the order and was committed to complying within a week.
However, counsel for the petitioners President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, pointed out that Ilukpitiya’s earlier request for two months to comply with the order, followed by a reduction to one week, highlighted his inconsistent position and constituted clear contempt of court.
Presiding Judge Priyantha Padman Surasena, along with Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Achala Wengappuli, observing the importance of respecting the authority of the Supreme Court that no one could disregard its rulings.
Justice Wengappuli remarked that the Supreme Court’s orders are not to be taken lightly by any individual or institution.
After reviewing the submissions, the three-member bench ordered that Harsha Ilukpitiya be remanded under the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act, until the case concludes.
The case will be taken up again on January 22, 2025.
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https://www.newswire.lk/2024/08/02/sri-lanka-supreme-court-suspends-controversial-vfs-ivs-visa-deal/
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