Visa deal challenged before Supreme Court

Colombo, July 31 (Daily Mirror) -  Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court, calling for action against 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.

The TISL filed this petition in the public interest, considering alleged lack of transparency and non-adherence to guidelines in the decision-making and procurement processes that impact the tourism industry, the national economy and national security. 

The petitioners argue that the fundamental rights of the citizens to equality and the right to information, as guaranteed under the Constitution under Articles 12(1) and 14A, have been violated through the actions and inactions of the respondents.

The petitioners named the Minister of Public Security, the Controller General of Immigration, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, GBS Technology Services & IVS Global-FZCO, VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd, the Cabinet of Sri Lanka and the Attorney General as the respondents. 

The petitioners are challenging the improper and irregular selection of private entities as authorized representatives for issuing visas. The petitioners alleged that entering into agreements with private parties in this manner could lead to severe financial losses and damage to the tourism sector.

The petitioners stated that the existing partnership with Mobitel (Pvt) Limited from 2012 ran smoothly without an occurrence of major breakdowns, negative publicity, data breaches or other complaints. Mobitel (Pvt) Limited tendered proposals for the improvement of the ETA system in August 2023 with no cost to the government. Mobitel (Pvt) Limited had tendered a proposal to provide the ETA platform services for USD 1 per application, in stark contrast to the USD 18.50 charged by GBS Technology Services & IVS Global-FZCO and VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. 

The petition calls for the respondents to be held accountable for their illegal, arbitrary and unreasonable acts or omissions in the procurement process.