Dinouk Colombage, Director of International Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat spoke to The Sunday Morning this past week about the recent allegations regarding visa issuance.
"The recent allegations that the approval of visas for foreigners has been handed over to a private company are completely false."
Colombage explained that as per a Cabinet decision taken last year, VFS global was selected via a tender process to assist in streamlining the application process for visas.
"On-arrival visa applications are now processed by VFS before being handed over to an on-duty immigration officer at the airport who will provide final approval."
VFS Global is operating in over 150 countries around the world. Sri Lankans obtaining visa to numerous countries including the UK and Australia have been processed by VFS.
Commenting further Colombage stated that "it was necessary that as arrival numbers in Sri Lanka increase, we have an efficient system in place to ensure the processing time for on-arrival visas is as short as possible. Furthermore, the VFS system has taken steps to digitise the visa application process. Under the new digitised system visitors to Sri Lanka are able to apply online for either a tourist or a business visa, with a validity period of upto 10 years multiple entries. Previously the online application system was limited to short term single entry visas."
He reiterated that the new system will continue to be persisted with to ensure an ease of doing business. However, the public can be assured that the final decision to approve or deny an individual's visa remains in the hands of the immigration department.
Commenting on the recent video circulating online, Colombage explained that an investigation was taking place into the matter. He explained that it was incorrect of those Government officials to have been standing on the sideline filming without trying to de-escalate the situation. Colombage added that immigration counters are high security zones as it is the point of entry into a country, and individuals cannot be allowed to scream and shout and force their way into the country.