* Rohan Pethiyagoda Critiques the Official Sri Lanka Tourist Visa Application Website Operated by VFS Global
Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a distinguished Sri Lankan biodiversity expert and Linnean Medal for Zoology recipient, has recently highlighted significant flaws in the official Sri Lanka tourist visa application website now operated by VFS Global. According to Pethiyagoda, the new system not only fails to function properly in some countries but also exposes visitors’ personal details and data security risks.
Key Issues Raised by Pethiyagoda:
- Unsolicited Scam and High-Level Profits:
- There are suspicions that the profits from this unsolicited scam reach the highest levels of government. Lower-level officials engaging in such activities would likely face jail time, indicating that those responsible are well-protected.
- Data Security Breach:
- The breach of data security raises concerns about which country benefits the most from knowing every person visiting Sri Lanka. It is widely suspected that two companies involved in the alliance are fronts of a certain country, with VFS Global brought in to lend legitimacy to the operation.
- Exorbitant Costs:
- Tourists now pay significantly more for a service previously handled by state-owned Mobitel/SLT for just a dollar. This steep increase in cost raises questions about the motives behind outsourcing the service to VFS Global.
- System Inefficiencies:
- As noted by Pethiyagoda, the system does not function properly in some countries, further complicating the visa application process for potential visitors.
- Government Corruption and Ineptitude:
- The ongoing issues with the visa application system and the handling of tourist data have led to claims that this may be the most corrupt and inept government in Sri Lankan history.
Impact on Visitors: Visitors attempting to use the new visa application system have encountered numerous problems, ranging from exorbitant fees to failed applications due to system glitches. More alarmingly, the mishandling of personal data poses a significant privacy risk, as information submitted through the site may be exposed to third parties without the applicants’ consent.
These revelations by Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda underline the urgent need for a thorough review of the current visa application process to ensure the protection of visitors’ data and to restore confidence in Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.
