(COLOMBO) – The Sri Lankan Immigration and Emigration Controller authorities on Thursday dismissed reports that it had given the authority to private companies to issue visas for foreign tourists.
Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya said that certain companies are currently involved in only processing visa applications for a fee that it is later handed over to the Department.
He said that this was aimed at bringing a new impetus to the tourism industry and that it will also help achieve the target of one million tourists to the country each year.
“This system has been introduced with an intention of promoting the tourism sector. These companies have agreed to bring 5 million tourists a year,” he said.
Illukpitiya said the Department is the lone authority in issuing visas and its duty has not been delegated to a third party at all.
Certain individuals and companies both registered in Sri Lanka and overseas have for the past many years offered online visa services for visitors intending to visit Sri Lanka in exchange for a fee.
