- Sri Lankan national who publicly displayed displeasure at airport summoned by police
- Those who filmed the incident on their mobile are expected to land in hot water
Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a detailed press briefing today, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles responded to the recent uproar over the online visa application system now managed by VFS Global. This follows a viral incident where a Sri Lankan national vocally expressed his dissatisfaction at the airport, an event that quickly spread across social media platforms.
Minister Alles meticulously outlined the timeline and approval processes involved, from the initial Cabinet proposal to the parliamentary discussions that preceded the signing of the contract with VFS Global. This transition aimed to streamline the application process which commenced operation on April 17, 2024, after the contract was finalized on December 21, 2023.
The controversy mainly revolves around a significant change in visa pricing and structuring. The new system inadvertently shifted from a $50 fee for a 30-day visa to a mandatory $75 fee for a six-month visa. Additionally, tourists are required to cover an $18.50 service charge plus taxes, payable to VFS for handling their applications. Minister Alles also confirmed that the Government of Sri Lanka is making no payment to VFS Global for their services and therefore will be incurring no cost at all.
The opposition has criticized the increased charges, alleging corruption in the arrangement. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has accused certain government airport officials of sabotaging the outsourced system. These officials were reportedly seen recording the frustrated citizen and his foreign wife during the incident.
Further complicating matters, the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka issued a statement clarifying that VFS Global is not an Indian company, countering misconceptions about the firm’s origins.
Alles also noted that prior to VFS Global’s involvement, a local third party managed the visa process less efficiently. He emphasized the presence of Sri Lankan nationals, not Indian staff, at the visa counters on the day of the noted incident, suggesting a local handle on operations despite the outsourcing.
This clarification comes amid growing scrutiny and demands for transparency in how visa services are managed and priced, highlighting a pivotal moment for travel and public administration in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Citizen Summoned by Police Following Outburst at Airport Over Visa Issuance Outsourcing
Meanwhile the incident involving the incoming Sri Lankan national Sandaru Kumarasinghe’s public opposition to outsourcing visa issuance to a foreign company has prompted a response from law enforcement. Kumarasinghe has been summoned to the Katunayake Airport Police Station to give a statement about his outspoken protest.
Kumarasinghe, expressing dissatisfaction, questioned the necessity of his summons. He argued that scrutiny should instead be directed towards those responsible for the outsourcing decision, not the citizens who speak out against such actions. “The people should decide who needs to be questioned—the one who stands up for them, or those who sell out our national assets,” he stated.
His protest was ignited by frustrations over the handling of his wife’s on-arrival visa by the newly appointed foreign service providers. A video capturing Kumarasinghe’s confrontation, which spread widely on social media, shows him challenging the authority of foreign personnel to make decisions affecting Sri Lankan citizens. He emphasized his substantial contributions as a taxpayer, claiming to pay about Rs. 4 million annually, and asserted his right to voice concerns over national decisions.
Kumarasinghe’s outcry reflects broader discontent with the decision to entrust an essential national service to a foreign company, particularly when local firms are seen as capable of managing such responsibilities. This incident underscores growing tensions over national sovereignty and the privatization of critical services.
Minister Tiran Alles says action will be taken against the person responsible for the disturbance at the visa issuance section, Katunayake Airport & officers who recorded it.
Video Curtesy :- Sirasa News 1st
