• Immigration/Emigration employee temporarily suspended over data entry error, CG apologises to MP, SLCERT, CID commence probes 

A multi-agency investigation has commenced into Government Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, to depart for a foreign visit, being turned away last week, while a Department of Immigration and Emigration employee has been temporarily suspended in connection with the same.

Issuing a statement in this regard, the Department explained that as per the information received, the situation arose after an employee incorrectly entered the data of someone else into the system as the MP’s passport data. Accordingly, the employee who is responsible for the mishap has been suspended, pending an inquiry.

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) too have initiated further investigations regarding the incident.

The Controller General (CG) of Immigration and Emigration, in his statement, apologised to Aluthgamage for the inconvenience caused to him.

On 10 March, MP Aluthgamage was turned away at the Katunayake Airport, citing an overseas travel ban imposed by a Mathugama Court. Subsequently, the MP had informed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration that no such order had been issued against him.