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Contempt case: Former immigration chief says he acted on instructions by ministry secretary
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya told the Supreme Court this week that it was on the instructions of then Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka that he did not implement the court order regarding the e-visa issuing system.
In answer to a question by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, Mr. Ilukpitiya told court that Mr. Gunathilaka told him that the Attorney General had advised him to seek further clarification from the Supreme Court regarding its order and not to implement the court’s interim order until such clarification was received.
Mr. Ilukpitiya is currently in remand custody on contempt of court charges for failing to implement the Supreme Court’s interim order staying the Cabinet decision to award the issuing of e-visas to two private companies. When he was produced in court this week, Mr. Ilukpitiya informed court that he wished to change his earlier plea of not guilty to guilty.
Justice Kodagoda asked the accused if he was aware of the gravity of his statement and whether anyone in higher authority had pressured him. Mr. Ilukpitiya responded, saying he acted according to written and verbal instructions given to him by Mr. Gunathilaka.
Mr. Ilukpitiya’s counsel, Saliya Pieris, PC, told court that his client was in this predicament because he held the wrong post at the wrong time.
The bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak De Silva, and Arjuna Obeyesekere fixed the case for July 24 for sentencing the accused.
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