News
SC orders filing of contempt charges against Immigration boss on e-visas
Summoned to court but away overseas
By AJA Abeynayake
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that charges be filed against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for contempt of court due to his failure to enforce a suspension of the e-visa system as directed by the Court.
The order was issued after President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran and Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC, representing the petitioners, highlighted the need to issue a rule against the respondent for failing to implement the court’s order.
Earlier on Friday, the court had directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear in person before the Court on the same day for his failure to implement the Supreme Court’s order, which had suspended the Cabinet decision approving online visa operations in Sri Lanka. The court was informed that the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration was out of the country.
The order arose in connection with several Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the involvement of private entities in managing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for issuing tourist visas to Sri Lanka. The petitions raised concerns about procedural violations and breaches of public trust in the procurement process. The case is set for further proceedings.
Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, representing the Attorney General, informed the court that the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration had encountered practical difficulties in executing the court’s directive. The earlier ruling had suspended a Cabinet decision regarding online and expatriate visa operations in Sri Lanka.
The three-judge bench, consisting of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Achala Wengappuli, emphasized that non-compliance with the court’s decision constituted contempt of court.
Oral submissions were made by MPs M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Rauff Hakeem, and Patali Champika Ranawaka. Upul Jayasuriya PC, with Sithara Sampath Wijewardane, represented Parliamentarian Ashoka Abeysinghe. Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC, along with Rukshan Senadheera, appeared for Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and Chandra Jayaratne. Senior Counsel Suren Gnanaraj represented the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and other petitioners, while Senior Counsel Senani Dayaratne appeared for Transparency International Sri Lanka. Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe PC, together with Vishwa De Livera Tennakoon, represented Attorney-at-Law S.M. Dissanayaka. Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
Flaws in law blamed for chaos
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.
Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.
The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)
United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).
Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.
Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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