The Supreme Court has ordered to file charges against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for contempt of court, for the official’s failure to implement an earlier court order.
In August, the Supreme Court issued an Interim Order, temporarily halting the Cabinet’s decision to outsource its visa application process to GBS Technology Services & IVS Global- FZCO, VFS VF Worldwide Holdings LTD led consortium.
This suspension was to remain in effect until the petitions are finally resolved.
The Controller General had cited practical difficulties in enforcing the Supreme Court’s directive, the court was informed, when motions filed over the matter were taken up for consideration.
However, the three-judge bench had observed that failing to comply with the court order could be seen as contempt of court.
Several fundamental rights petition were filed in the Supreme Court calling for action against 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 the issuance of visas for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. (Newswire)
