Court Suspends Corrupt Passport Deal Approval

News Today: Court Suspends N-Series Passport Deal Amid Allegations of Corruption

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order halting the Cabinet’s decision to approve the purchase of 750,000 N-Series passports. This order, which stands until October 1st, 2024, follows a writ petition filed by Epic Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and its Executive Chairman. The petition claims that the tender process was corrupted, violating procedural fairness. The court has cited various government officials, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the Controller General of Immigration, as respondents.

Epic Lanka, a digital solutions provider specializing in Digital Transformation, e-Government, Workflow Management, and Secure Electronic Payment Automation, argues that the Cabinet’s decision, made during a meeting on September 2nd, 2024, lacked transparency. The deal involved companies Thales DIS Finland OY and Just In Time Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. The Court of Appeal’s intervention aims to ensure the procurement process adheres to the law and ethical standards.

This legal challenge emphasizes the need for transparency in public procurement, especially in critical sectors such as immigration. The temporary suspension of this passport purchase decision may lead to further scrutiny of the entire procurement process, ensuring accountability and fairness.