ECONOMYNEXT – An outsourcing scheme for Sri Lanka visas which has led to a steep increase in fees, replacing a previous quick electronic travel authorization process that had drawn widespread acclaim has run into a fresh controversy over visa denials.
A viral video showed at irate Sri Lanka citizens berating a private visa provider at the airport after his foreign companion was apparently denied a visa for entry by the company.
Sri Lanka’s visa fees went up steeply after the new company started charging an 18.50 dollar fee for each visa.
Meanwhile a government statement said the deal was awarded to the private company following a cabinet approval.
“The government is getting ready to deal with officials who are challenging the Cabinet decision,” the statement said.
The company was awarded the contract after two parties applied and it was awarded based on qualifications.
However, it is not clear why the Cabinet awarded the contract to a company that was charging 18.5 dollars per tourist and allegedly more fees on top of that from tourists.
At a targeted 2.3 million tourists in 2024, the private group stands to make 42 million US dollars or 12.7 billion rupees on the 18.5 dollar fee alone.
There is no information on the actual costs for the operation is, and why the firm is charging such high fees to operate a platform, since digitalization is supposed to bring costs down.
The irate citizen in the viral video claimed Indians were working at the counter and were now denying visas.
However High Commission of India said the company had no connection to India.
“We have seen reports and comments including in social media regarding Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo, the statement said.
“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.” (Colombo/May03/2024)