SC orders Immigration Controller General to be remanded

By Manopriya Gunasekara

The Supreme Court today ordered Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilkupitiya to be remanded in custody over contempt of court charges for failing to implement the SC's interim order suspending the Cabinet decision to award the contract for e-visa services to two foreign companies. 

After the registrar of the SC read the charge sheet filed against Mr Ilukpitiya for contempt of court, he pled not guilty to the charges. The SC bench presided by Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and also comprising Justices Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Achala Wenagappuli then ordered him to be kept in remand custody until the conclusion of the trial. Accordingly, the court postponed the next hearing into the case to January 22, 2025. 

The SC pointed out that it cannot stay silent when authorities fail to implement an order from the highest court of the land, and ordered the accused to be remanded in custody until the conclusion of the trail.