Supreme Court Suspends Online and Expat Visa Processing in Sri Lanka

News Today: Supreme Court Halts Visa Processing Operations

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued an order to suspend online and expat visa processing operations until the final determination of several petitions. The order, effective immediately, was made by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli. These petitions challenge procedural violations and the abuse of public trust by officials in procuring private entities to handle the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for issuing visas to tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

The petitioners named several respondents, including Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka, the Cabinet of Ministers, and others. Oral submissions were made by members of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) of the Parliament, including M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Rauff Hakeem, and Patali Champika Ranawaka, who appeared in person. Additional legal representation included Upul Jayasuriya PC for Parliamentarian Ashoka Abeysinghe, Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC for Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and Chandra Jayaratne, and Senior Counsel Suren Gnanaraj for the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and other petitioners. Senior Counsel Senani Dayaratne represented Transparency International Sri Lanka, while Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe with Vishwa De Livera Tennakoon appeared for Attorney-at-law S.M. Dissanayaka. Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena represented the Attorney General.

The court’s decision is a response to the concerns raised about the integrity of the ETA system and aims to address these issues through a thorough judicial review.