Controller General of Immigration and Emigration in hot water over visa deal

13 September 2024 10:55 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

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Colombo, September 13 (Daily Mirror) The Supreme Court today issued an order directing the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear before the Court in person for his failure to implement the Supreme Court's order, which had suspended the Cabinet decision granting approval related to online and expat visa operations in Sri Lanka.

Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing for the Attorney General, informed court that the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration had notified the practical difficulties in implementing the court order.

The Supreme Court three-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli, observed that the failure to implement the court order amounted to contempt of court.

President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran and Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC, appearing for the petitioners, reiterated the importance of issuing a rule against the respondent for failing to implement the Supreme Court order.

The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging 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 issuing visas to tourists visiting Sri Lanka, was taken up for support.
M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Rauff Hakeem and Patali Champika Ranawaka made their oral submissions while appearing in person. Upul Jayasuriya PC with Sithara Sampath Wijewardane appeared for Parliamentarian Ashoka Abeysinghe. Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC with Rukshan Senadheera appeared for Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and Chandra Jayaratne. Senior Counsel Suren Gnanaraj appeared for the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and several other petitioners. Senior Counsel Senani Dayaratne appeared for Transparency International Sri Lanka.

Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe PC with Vishwa De Livera Tennakoon appeared for Attorney-at-Law S.M. Dissanayaka.

Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena appeared for the Attorney General.

Comments - 21

joshua Friday, 13 September 2024 11:13 AM

Great news.

0 15

Onlooker Friday, 13 September 2024 03:19 PM

Yes he supported VFS deal by issuing statement as : Dept-of-Immigration-and-Emigration-Chief-makes-public-rationale-for-working-with-VFS-Global/ on 7th May 2024.

0 4

John Friday, 13 September 2024 11:33 AM

In my ten years in Sri Lanka I have sent six letters - two by registered post plus 10 emails to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration and have NOT had one reply.

0 23

Manu Friday, 13 September 2024 04:21 PM

Same happened to me also multiple times. Therefore I left SL after 6 weeks instead the planned 6 months stay. Most probably never will return to that country.

0 3

Sunil Friday, 13 September 2024 11:43 AM

One word sack him

0 19

Nimal 1 Friday, 13 September 2024 12:27 PM

Pina and his stooges think that they can simply ignore court orders. These guys should be taken to task very rigorously.

3 24

Two sides to a story Friday, 13 September 2024 04:46 PM

And the brainy people think IT systems can be switched on and off like switching a light bulb!

5 6

This is reality Friday, 13 September 2024 12:28 PM

Some bureaucrats think that they are above the law. They should be put in their places.

0 29

Silva Friday, 13 September 2024 03:04 PM

Due to lack of political leadership

3 17

Be Fair Friday, 13 September 2024 12:46 PM

Super action. Now Alles and the henchmen should be taken to task

0 32

Kevin Friday, 13 September 2024 12:47 PM

More headaches for RW regime.

3 17

sachith Friday, 13 September 2024 12:50 PM

A good example for government employees who says YES boss to every order given by politicians. Remember, this minister has visas for 10 years and he will flee the country soon and live a lavish life abroad.

1 28

Fed up Friday, 13 September 2024 01:50 PM

Nothing like finding a Scape Goat to sweep under the carpet the inefficiency and utter corruption of the RW/ Alles decision making that has now gone toxic! Keep going guys, until RW an Alles are no more.

2 22

roobarbie Friday, 13 September 2024 02:09 PM

Another corrupt official taking orders directly from corrupt political minister doing a back hand deal with a foreign company. Is that the one that has got himself visas to live in any ten countries. How corruption works is being revealed in the supreme court. The corrupt are now struggling like ratsnakes smelling kerosene vapor.

1 19

Ram P Friday, 13 September 2024 03:21 PM

Poor Public Servant in trouble due to arrogance of mad man Ranil who is unfit to hold any office for treating the SC judgements with disrespect

3 5

Ruwan Friday, 13 September 2024 03:47 PM

Speak to anyone who knows a little bit about IT, software upgrades, and subsequent comparability issues and you will be able to appreciate the technical challenges of going back to a system that is no longer compatible with the newer versions of technology which is now in place. A few people are burying their head in the sand on this matter.

5 4

Buddhist Friday, 13 September 2024 04:21 PM

If no one follows a Supreme Court order, then that person should be removed from his or her post immediately. If it's not done, the failure is of the PM.

1 3

Suhada malli Friday, 13 September 2024 04:45 PM

Courts who do not fully understand the practical difficulties of re implementing a discontinued IT system at short notice should listen to the Chief of immigration and then reword the ruling as necessary to give sufficient time to execute their order. For example if a person has travelled overseas when the database was in the new (VFS) system, and if the old (Mobitel) system is reimplemented at the time he arrives and the departure data is not synchronised the innocent traveller can get arrested. IT system migrations has to have contracts, and rigorous testing before been done. However it is not impossible to do, only that a load of time consuming processes have to be followed. This is an illustration only not necessarily the actual situation at the airport. Some IT system migrations from one system to another has taken as long as 9 to 12 months depending on the complexity. So courts should be humble to re-consider different ways to achieve the same objective.

2 7

Aram Friday, 13 September 2024 05:41 PM

The Supreme Court has given enough time to restore the old system. But these high ranks didn't take up this seriously. Now officers at Bia airport work hard to tackle the situation. So need stern action

2 8

Aleksey Friday, 13 September 2024 09:51 PM

Why wasn't tourists provided with a long-term stay during the restoration of the old system? I went to Colombo several times, and once I even had to fly away from the country for a few hours! I want to live in Sri Lanka for 6 months, I'd rather pay money for a long-stay visa than spend it on tickets every 2 months! Horrible! Now a foreigner cannot stay in the country for more than two months!

0 3

Ruben disty Saturday, 14 September 2024 09:17 AM

All government sector's are been niglected by top management who are only interested making easy money bribery corruption mismanagement key factors that countries prosperity been taken away by thives

0 1

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