Colombo, May 2 (Daily Mirror) – Chaos broke out at the BIA last night following the controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by an Indian company. This company has been charging an extra $25, whereas the Immigration and Emigration Department had been managing the process smoothly for several years.
The Daily Mirror learns that the Indian company assumed control of the on-arrival visa issuance process without obtaining cabinet approval leading to serious questions as to which Minister or authority allowed this?
Furthermore, the Indian company levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.
When contacted, Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya of the Immigration and Emigration Department said that the visa issuance procedure was returned to their jurisdiction because the private company was unable to ensure a smooth operation.
The 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 cancelled.
He shouted, questioning how an Indian person could decide his or his wife’s visa status and asserted his rights as a Sri Lankan citizen. He claimed he had the right to decide his own visa and emphasized his status as a taxpayer, stating he paid approximately Rs. 4 million rupees each year. He insisted on his right to raise his voice in this matter and showed disgust as to why the Sri Lankan Government had to sell the visa issuing system to an Indian company when there were several Sri Lankan companies who could handle that.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan individual questioned the Indian visa officer’s authority to speak to him in such a manner.
He blamed the Sri Lankan Government for allowing Indian companies to operate in Sri Lanka, ignoring the local work force.
Some foreigners also claimed they had to wait for more than two or three hours to obtain their visas.
