The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the cabinet decision granting approval for online and expat visa operations in Sri Lanka. This order will remain effective until the final determination of the petitions.
The court further instructed authorities to maintain the status quo as it existed before the implementation of the cabinet decision. This order was made by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli, following several Fundamental Rights petitions challenging procedural violations and abuse of public trust in the procurement of private entities to handle the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for issuing visas to tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
The petitioners cited Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka, the Cabinet of Ministers, and several others as respondents.
Members of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) of the Parliament, M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Rauff Hakeem, and Patali Champika Ranawaka made oral submissions 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, and 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.
Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena represented the Attorney General.
