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“Obtaining passports after paying money, a right of the people”

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Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government, Member of Parliament Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi, recently informed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to take immediate action to issue passports in a way that does not inconvenience the public.

This was discussed when the Department of Immigration and Emigration was summoned to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open and Accountable Government to consider the new “Immigration” Bill.

Addressing the meeting, the Immigration and Emigration Controller General Mr. Harsha Ilukpitiya said that nearly 1 million passports had been issued in 2023, but only 23% of them had been used and the remaining 77% of passports had not been used. 

Also, he added that since the electronic passport (E-Passport) is to be introduced by the end of October, there is a possibility to request the new e- passport from some countries and accordingly, the department requests the non-essential public to refrain from getting passports.

The Chair of the Committee pointed out that people should be informed about this as much as possible. 

However, the Chair also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Immigration and Emigration Department to issue the requested passports so that the people are not inconvenienced, as it is the right of the people to get passports after paying money. If not, the Chair of the Committee – Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi pointed out that the department as well as the government will be deeply displeased by the people.

Also, the officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department said that the obstacles to obtaining passports for pilgrims traveling to India and Nepal will be promptly removed.

While considering the new “Immigration” Bill, the Committee inquired about the provisions of the bill from the officials. 

Immigration and Emigration Controller General Mr. Harsha Ilukpitiya said that the drafting of this bill, which was presented to Parliament on June 20, 2024 by the Minister of Public Security, commenced in 2017. 

This new bill has been prepared by amending the issue of travel documents, the Immigrants and Emigrants Act and the Passport (Regulation) and Exit Permit Act, No. 53 of 1971 to suit the current social and technological situation. 

He also mentioned that since this bill has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the relevant determination has been announced to the Parliament, the related amendments will be made.    

It was also revealed that this bill has provided provisions to fill the gaps in the immigration laws of this country. The Controller General pointed out that for the first time, the necessary legal provisions have been made by this new bill especially for Human Smuggling, which has not had any laws in this country so far. Also, this new bill has enacted new laws including the legal provisions necessary for the department to move forward with the new technology as well as the provisions applicable to people staying illegally in the country. Mr. Ilukpitiya further mentioned that this bill was prepared after considering the opinions and suggestions of several experts. It was also discussed in the committee that this bill, which has been delayed for a long time, is a very important bill.

Also, the committee’s attention was drawn to filling the vacancies of the employees of the Immigration and Emigration Department. The chair of the committee also advised to submit the related proposal to the committee. Giving approval to the bill, the committee chair said that in order to implement this bill more successfully, the department should proceed with new technology. The committee also informed the Immigration and Emigration Department to provide the related proposals to the committee within 2 weeks to remove the existing obstacles.

Also, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration stated that the procurement process of electronic passports (e-Passports) is in the final stage and 5 million electronic passports will be received by the end of October 2024.

Officials representing the Ministry of Public Security, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department also attended the meeting. 

Members of Parliament – John Seneviratne, Udayana Kiridigoda, Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, Jayantha Weerasinghe, Ishaq Rahuman, Sudath Manjula, Kumarasiri Ratnayake and HMadhura Withanage were also present in this committee meeting.

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Derailment disrupts train operations on upcountry line

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Train operations on the upcountry railway line have been disrupted after a train derailed at the Rambukkana railway station today (June 27).

The derailed train was travelling from Colombo to Rambukkana.

Accordingly, train services along the upcountry Line have been suspended, and alternative transportation arrangements are being made.

Meanwhile,  efforts to re-rail the derailed train are underway.

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‘Krrish’ case to be taken up again on Sep. 26

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The Colombo High Court has ordered the re-convening of the case filed by the Attorney General against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa on September 26.

The case pertains to allegations that Rajapaksa received Rs. 70 million from the Indian company ‘Krrish’ under the pretext of promoting the game of rugby.

Rajapaksa, appeared before the court when the case was taken up today (June 27).

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2 NPP members at Weligama PS go missing (Video)

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Tensions erupted at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha today (June 27) after 02 National Peoples’ Power (NPP) members were reportedly abducted.

The incident had occurred just before a scheduled vote to elect a new chairman.

The members, who were en route to attend the session, have reportedly gone missing, prompting the suspension of proceedings.

It has been proposed to proceed the council session if the missing members arrive.

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