Alles Promises Action Over BIA Disturbance; Clarifies VISA Charges

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles says that action will be taken against both the individual who caused a disturbance in the visa issuance section at Katunayake Airport recently, and the officers who documented the incident.

In early May, at the Bandaranaike International Airport and heated exchange ignited a storm of conversation across social media platforms - locally and internationally.

In 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers made a decision to enter into an agreement to outsource the visa issuance process to a third party.

Enter VFS Global, a foreign company now responsible for handling visa issuance on behalf of Sri Lanka.

Since April 16, VFS Global has been actively involved in visa issuance activities.

The recent changes have impacted the cost structure as well. The online visa fee, previously set at $52, has now been increased to $75.

Additionally, a Convenience Fee of $18.05 and a facility fee of $7.27 have been introduced.

Consequently, the total visa fee now stands at $100.77.

On Wednesday (1) night, a notable incident unfolded at the visa issuing point.

It was triggered by the rejection of a visa application by an individual who subsequently engaged in an intense conversation. The situation escalated, leading to heightened tension.

In response to this heated scenario, VFS Global decided to withdraw from visa-issuance activities.

As a result, immigration officials reverted to issuing visas at the previous rates.

On Monday (6), Public Security Minister Tiran Alles convened a media briefing to address the issues.

He said that the 30-day visa was fixed at USD 50, however, when passing the said rate, the document was not included, and thus it was not added to the system.

The Minister of Public Security said that the USD 50 rate for a 30-day visa will be implemented from Tuesday (7).

According to the minister, the single-entry 30-day visa is fixed at a price of USD 50, and the double-entry six-month visa is priced at USD 75.

On the day of the said incident, it was alleged that Indians were manning the visa counters at the BIA.

Minister Alles said that VFS Global is not an Indian company, on the said date, the counters were being manned by 13 Sri Lankans, and no Indian were present.

The majority shareholder of VFS Global is Blackstone, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, according to online records.

"VFS cannot issue or reject VISA. They can check the documentation. When the documentation is uploaded, the Sri Lankan authorities using the back end give their approval," said the Minister.

There is no disadvantage for the Sri Lankans, and we are introducing these new systems to upgrade our immigration and emigration processes, said the Minister.

Tiran Alles said that he requested that the government of Singapore send a delegation to Sri Lanka and study the immigration process, and the airports and submit a report to the authorities on how the system can be upgraded to that level in Singapore.

On the 27th of May, a five-member Singaporean team will arrive in Sri Lanka and engage in the work study, and thereafter will provide a comprehensive report.