Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya has pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case for failing to implement an interim order relating to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court has scheduled sentencing for 24 July.

Ilukpitiya was earlier remanded in September 2024 after failing to comply with a Supreme Court order suspending a Cabinet decision to award the e-visa service contract to two foreign companies. The court had directed that the previous Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system managed by SLT-Mobitel be reactivated.

Despite the order, Ilukpitiya failed to implement it, prompting the court to initiate contempt proceedings. He was remanded in custody for nearly nine months.

The case was filed by eight petitioners, including former MPs M. A. Sumanthiran, Rauff Hakeem, and Patali Champika Ranawaka, who accused Ilukpitiya of willfully defying the court’s order.

Initially, Ilukpitiya had pleaded not guilty. His counsel, President’s Counsel Faiz Musthapha, told the court that his client had made several attempts to comply with the order but was obstructed by technical and practical challenges. He also assured the court that the order would be implemented within a week.

However, Sumanthiran PC, representing the petitioners, argued that Ilukpitiya’s conduct and statements clearly amounted to contempt. Additional Solicitor General Viveka Samarasinghe, appearing for the Attorney General, sought additional time to obtain instructions, noting that both the Government and the Cabinet had since changed. Justice Surasena, presiding over the bench, remarked that the Supreme Court, as the apex court of the country, cannot remain silent when one of its orders is ignored.