The Attorney General has informed the Court of Appeal that the National Procurement Commission is investigating the tender process undertaken by the previous government to procure 5 million electronic passports for the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, representing the Attorney General,said this during a hearing on Tuesday (3). The case involves a petition filed by Epic Lanka Private Limited, challenging the prior government’s decision to procure 750,000 normal passports and 5 million e-passports from two foreign firms.

The commission has requested one week to provide observations on the investigation, Sumathi Dharmawardena said, requesting additional time to update the court on the progress.

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel K. Kanageeswaran, representing some defendant companies, sought a date to consider lifting the existing injunction preventing the passport purchases.

The Court of Appeal has scheduled the case to be taken up again on January 23, 2025.