‘Visa issuance to foreigners under purview of GoSL Immigration dept’
The issuance of visas to foreigners visiting Sri Lanka remains under the purview of the immigration department, this was never outsourced to a private company, a top Sri Lankan official said on Thursday.
“Only the handling of logistical matters was outsourced,” said Dinouk Colombage, Director of International Affairs for President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The announcement came as a video circulating on social media depicted long queues at the airport.
A Sri Lankan individual was seen blaming the Indian visa issuing officers, alleging that his wife’s on-arrival visa was canceled.
He blamed the Sri Lankan Government for permitting Indian companies to operate in Sri Lanka, ignoring the local work force.
But the Indian High Commission in Colombo issued the following statement on Thursday.
The statement by the Spokesperson was in response to media queries regarding Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo.
“We have seen reports and comments including in social media regarding Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo.
The companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”
The issuance of visas to foreigners visiting Sri Lanka remains under the purview of the immigration department, this was never outsourced to a private company. Only the handling of logistical matters was outsourced.
— Dinouk Colombage (@Dinouk_C) May 2, 2024