A date has been set for August 2 to consider fundamental rights petitions requesting an order to invalidate the e-Visa system, citing risks to national security. The court has issued a notice to the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Mr Dinesh Gunawardena.
The court ordered the petitioners to personally deliver the notices to the ministers directly involved and to the Cabinet Secretary for distribution to the remaining ministers.
The petitions were presented before Supreme Court Justices Prithi Padman Surasena, Arjuna Obeysekera, and Achala Vengappuli. The petitions were filed by Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauf Hakeem, and M.A. Sumanthiran.
The petitioners claim that the Cabinet’s decision to replace the current system with an e-visa service from foreign companies threatens national security by potentially exposing critical security information. They argue that this change could harm national security, impact tourism, and lead to increased visa fees, eroding public trust in the government.
The petitioners request an order to invalidate the Cabinet’s decision, asserting that it violates the basic rights of the people. Additionally, they seek an interim restraining order to prevent the implementation of the decision until the petition is fully heard. Thirty-two parties, including the Comptroller of Immigration and the Attorney General, have been named as respondents in the petitions.
