Controversial Visa Deal: SC rejects bail for Harsha Ilukpitiya

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a bail application filed on behalf of Harsha Ilukpitiya, the former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. He has been in remand custody for nearly six months due to contempt of court proceedings.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekara and Achala Wengappuli observed that there are sufficient grounds for the court not to release the accused on bail before the conclusion of the contempt of court inquiry.

“The Court has already made an Order detaining the respondent until the final determination of the contempt of court inquiry. Hence, in view of the above reasoning, this Court is not inclined to vary its order made on September 25, 2024. Furthermore, this Court is of the view that it should desist from enlarging the accused on bail. Therefore, the Order made by this Court on September 25, 2024, must remain unaltered,” Justice Wengappuli observed.

The inquiry into the Contempt of Court Charges and the argument of the main cases were fixed for May 08.

On September 25, 2024, the Supreme Court ordered Harsha Ilukpitiya to be remanded until the conclusion of the contempt of court proceedings for failing to implement the Court’s order regarding the controversial visa deal. This order was issued against the respondent under Section 9(7) of the Contempt of Court, Tribunal, or Institution Act No. 08 of 2024.

The Supreme Court had issued a rule charging the former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration with contempt of court for failing to implement its order, which had suspended a Cabinet decision granting approval for online and expatriate visa operations in Sri Lanka.