Government defends outsourcing of visa process

2 May 2024 08:46 pm - 54 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Department of Government Information, in response to allegations over the outsourced online visa application process, said it had been given to VFS Global, a company with 146 centres across the globe after proper study into the matter and approval by the Cabinet.

Asserting that visa endorsement is always retained by Sri Lanka Immigration, he said only document processing is done by VFS Global as in any other country where it is in operation.

“We, Sri Lankans, go to VFS Global when we apply for visas to travel to any other country. It has 146 centres across the world. Therefore, people across the globe have the facility to apply for a visa to travel to Sri Lanka. It is nothing but tourism promotion,” the Department said.

Further, it said relevant visa fees charged from applicants are for the state coffers whereas the company will receive service charges for work done by it in processing documents for visa.

Comments - 54

Sepala Amaraweera Thursday, 02 May 2024 08:52 PM

Sri Lanka Government should have read Wikipedia about VFS global issues around the world before awarding the contract Probably Harin is getting under the carpet at least US 2 PER Visa from the VFS for awarding as usual Harin has mastered ways to get paid from private sector in various corruption ways through demanding Airtickets or even demanding payments to his private staff or over invoicing through his school friends event management etc at places he serve on government seats

Nishan Friday, 03 May 2024 07:45 AM

Isn't this mere innuendo? Clearly you seem to have an axe to grind with Harin. Let's stay objective.

Jilmart Thursday, 02 May 2024 08:59 PM

These government ministers think that they can fool all the people all the time. We must not do what all other countries do. When it is abundantly clear that the system that was in place met all the requirements why outsource it. Obviously for the benefit of a few. If the intention was to increase the revenue, the government should have raised the fee not to sell the entire process to a commercial entity. We should and must send these rogues home. There is no alternative.

Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 12:57 AM

“PRIDE OF A COUNTRY IS more than a few dollars”. The PRIDE OF A COUNTRY IS CONFINED TO IMMIGRATION COUNTER AT ‘ENTRPORT’ – BIA OR MRIA!? WHAT A JOKE – LOAD OF BS!!!??? According to that thought process, it is EXALTED pride to “BEG FOOD”!? Then the pride was intact and didn’t get TARNISHED AT ALL!!?? How some defend ‘Hitlerite’ TOM FOOLERY!?

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:00 PM

Don't we have peoole who can fo the work? Why VFS Global has to employ Indians to process visa? Or why can't our immigration department do it? VFS is generally processing visas off site well in advance of the travel, for on arrival , there is no rocket science to process visa, it is very simple, if the foreign person's country is in the approved list of countries for on arrival visa then, that is it. There is no other requirement as the person has already arrived here on that basis. Government thinks that public is foolish, of course they are foolish that is why these guys continue to be in power.

Christo255 Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:02 PM

Stupid move by government. VFS does not stamp visas in any other airport other than in SL. That is the difference. They can do their data processing in their offices and not at immigration counters. Justifying selling Country for a few dollars more. Pride of a country is more than a few dollars. Sell sell all you can till october

Minister of Corruption Friday, 03 May 2024 03:16 AM

More to the point what did the Minister Concerned receive in Santhosa from VFS?

Tilak Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:08 PM

VFS Global is owned by The Blackstone Group which is listed on the NYSE and is an S

John Fernando Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:22 PM

NPP/SJB please reveal your status in this regard to public as we never know under this AliPohottu government if we could retain our clothings when it ends it's term in 169 days.

Mcneil Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:28 PM

I hope your tourist industry crashes and burns. Sri Lanka does not deserve the custom of holiday makers. We will certainly not be visiting again and will make sure that the gouging of tourists is well known through youtube and forums such as tripadvisor.

Malik Friday, 03 May 2024 07:41 AM

If USD 25 is too much of an impost, it may be best you stay home. It may be 6 cappuccino's from where you come from.

Behave Maturely Friday, 03 May 2024 07:48 AM

As if your country is in perfect shape. The usual miscommunication and technical difficulties due a system which is new doesn’t mean alls not well. Grow up and behave maturely. Threatening and judging is harmful as it destroys the basic fabric of an individual’s way of life. If people like you are in power, missiles will be flying about daily.

Gunadasa Friday, 03 May 2024 10:53 AM

@Malik, It is not $25 increase. Until last month ETA visa cost $50. Now it is $101 with $ 75 visa fee and other charges. Many tourists will not come to Sri Lanka as westerners get visa free entry to many other Asian countries.

Faz Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:42 PM

Why Indian Nationals are doing this job in Sri Lankan Airports ? Can a Sri Lankan do a job in Indian Airport?

kondaya77 Friday, 03 May 2024 12:28 AM

This is the end of tourism ,direct all tourist to Indian.Ranil will sell this country before he leaves office.

Kumara Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:47 PM

It is not acceptable. We do not want to pay anything over and above the actual visa fees.

Majuna Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:02 PM

Opposition parties should protest until the minister and officials responsible for this blunder are sacked. Have an online system like several asian countries so that dollars will be to SL not to an Indian company that has horrible feedback globally. Investigate the minister responsible as he may have agreed on this so that he get a commision. Where is the opposition parties. It is your turn to act on these matters.

Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 01:20 AM

"Investigate the minister responsible as he may have agreed on this so that he get a commission"!! Every step of Improvement is because of COMMISSION!!?? That exposes the corrupt state of the mind of the people attributing it!!!??? That may well be the case and if one wants to pursue, GO AHEAD AND INVESTIGATE - none would be against that process - and prove in a court of Law, without wild baseless accusations "at the drop of A HAT"!! What people forget is if ALL 146 countries adopt the same process, "STOP AND THINK", are ALL THOSE COUNTRIES FOOLS and FOLLOW this “B____ S___ process”, with commission payment to Ministers!!?? Sri Lankan PUBLIC – 'WIZKIDS'!? That's what EARNED Sri Lankans, INFAMOUS STATUS – “STARVATION 2022”!?

Ruben Huling Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:06 PM

The government does not owned the state and it's institutions. Therefore no legal validity this devious action of the government led by Ranil. Sri Lanka is not real estate property belonged to the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Mokan Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:09 PM

Having traveled to so many countries in the world, I have to admit that the SL immigration is one of the best. I really don’t understand the reasons behind outsourcing.

Thindu Valanthan Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:11 PM

Even India doesn’t use VFS , why we ?

Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 01:22 AM

NOW, INDIA IS THE STANDARD BEARER!!??

Jay Piyal Friday, 03 May 2024 12:06 AM

It is shame that Ranil Wickramasingha doesn’t want to use e-Visa system developed by Srilankan engineers and Srilankan company. I am sure someone is getting a backhand out of this otherwise why SL government is scrapping a system worked without any issue and replaced it with more expensive system.

Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 01:39 AM

"Doesn’t want to use e-Visa system developed by Sri Lankan engineers and Sri Lankan company." The question is, Does any other country uses it and is proved as successful to adopt or just because it is done by Sri Lankan Techs and still not Proven Internationally!!??? That's critical, as we are already in "dire straits", and displease, ‘cast away’, even single tourists for this “EXPERIMENTATION”!!??? The people should have, if they are convinced that they have invented a successful process, they should have sought the opportunity for TESTING BEFORE, than NOW!!?? “CART before HORSE”!!?? The country could ill afford even One single tourist because, result is starvation and deprivation again and no salvation!!?? No TIME NOW for Experimentations!!??

Tissa Fernando Friday, 03 May 2024 08:53 PM

@Mahila, the evisa system was in use fir decades. It was very easy to use. There were charging USD 20. There is no justification to hand over on arrival visa process to a foreign company. Kickbacks for those involved is the only justification.

BELIEVE ME IF AND ITS A BIGGGG IF!!. THEY WILL REVERT BACK TO THE USUAL VISA PROCESSING AND LAUGH THROUGH THEIR BACKSIDES. Friday, 03 May 2024 12:07 AM

NOT ALL COUNTRIES USE THIS SERVICE FOR PROCESSING THEIR VISAS (ANY TYPE). NAME ALL THE COUNTRIES USING THIS SERVICE FOR VISA PROCESSING. SURELY THE GOVERNMENT CAN SUPPLY THIS PAPER A LIST OF COUNTRIES USING THEIR SERVICES!!. ANOTHER ELECTION SPIN TO CONFUSE THE PEOPLE TO GET VOTES BY USING SCARE MONGERING TACTICS.

Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 01:48 AM

BEGGERS' BELIEF!!!??? How this EARNS VOTES??? SPELL-OUT WHAT SCARE MONGERING TACTIC is involved in this process? APOLOGISE "BRAIN NOT ADVANCED" to DISCERN THIS ABSURDITY!!??

Nilmini Welivita Friday, 03 May 2024 02:27 AM

Sri Lankan workers are corrupt and inefficient. Therefore this is a good move by the president.

Chris Friday, 03 May 2024 03:48 AM

Who recommended VFS? There was nothing wrong with the earlier system. See the overview below. Overview VFS Global has a rating of 1.1 stars from 340 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about VFS Global most frequently mention customer service, visa application, and error message problems. VFS Global ranks 111th among Travel Visas sites.

STORMY DANIELS Friday, 03 May 2024 04:34 AM

MR and BASIL introduced the commission system now everybody suffers

jude Friday, 03 May 2024 06:12 AM

Why was it handed over in the first place? Ever heard of the saying dont fix it if it ain't broke?

roshan Friday, 03 May 2024 06:14 AM

Did government go through a proper tender procedure before awarding a contract to this company? was outside proposals called? What was the selection criteria in the tender that lead to a contract award for this company that other local companies could not meet?

Upulpb Friday, 03 May 2024 06:25 AM

These morans will defend any blunder as long as some of their cronies are making money

R Navaratnam Friday, 03 May 2024 06:26 AM

The airport scene/drama was very poor. Insulting a person who was not responsible for the decision made by Sri Lankan government is irrational. The concerned person who is a tax payer, should have gone to his MP. Bad advertisement for Sri Lanka as well as for the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Rathnavali Friday, 03 May 2024 08:47 PM

You are absolutely right! That man indeed caused more harm to Sri Lanka than this Visa outsourcing debacle! Looks like he was put up to make a scene, since I see everybody blaming RW, when it was the Minister who was irresponsible. Getting close to elections anything and everything will be media news and shared hundred times. Just like MR getting people on to the streets every day for various protests during the Yahapalanya regime!

What would you have done? Saturday, 04 May 2024 09:01 AM

@Navaratnam, did you understand what really happened? How does the guy go to an MP when he is not allowed into the country with his foreign wife? Just going to his MP would have solved the issue??? What would have you done in a similar situation? Bad advertisement!!!!!! Is this the only bad advertisement? There's plenty happening everyday within SL and outside SL.

Sinna Friday, 03 May 2024 06:53 AM

I formally a supporter of UNP,later changed to SJB in last election but after bankruptcy of the country due to result of boundless corruption of politicians, we are expecting repeal of all sort of perks of parliamentarians, who are directly responsible of this miserable condition of the country,BUT only NPP gave its word ‘No perks for parliamentarians,anything other than any citizen gets,’ we happy with the promise,now joined and certainly vote for them,and insisting them and expecting to revoke,all sort of unpatriotic and treacherous agreements of this sort to save our country from foreign interference and save employment for our own youngsters

UAli Friday, 03 May 2024 07:00 AM

NPP ,we public insisting you to stand against this shameless treachery of RW government and its ministers, and announce that you repeal this when come to power, according to some rascal ministers,our beloved country is part of India

Mohan renga Friday, 03 May 2024 07:06 AM

This is bloody stupid! Why should we outsource on arrival visa? Our immigration office and our officials are quite capable of handling this straight forward procedure; what country this is! We advocate cash transactions when all counties are moving away, pass on to third parties our online visa process! It is obvious that someone in Govt is enriching from this move!

Jude Friday, 03 May 2024 07:42 AM

Why not!?? Bunch of politicians Made money out of the deal.

Sambo Friday, 03 May 2024 07:43 AM

You think that this country is paradise on earth and foreigners have no other country in the world to visit that you charge exorbitant charges to as visa. What you are doing is ruining the trade.

Pullma Dingalinga Friday, 03 May 2024 12:20 PM

You have forgotten all the attractions of this Island paradise : polluted air, food unfit for human consumption, the aroma of rotting garbage, worship rocks, see statues on top of every mountain and every intersection, poor service, overpriced accomodation/ everything, traffic, people defecating on beaches, three wheeler scams, pickpocketing, robbery etc. Where in the world can you get such a variety of things to experience ? Not forgetting 2500 years of misguided cultural practices and fervent Buddhist politicians. Why do you say this is not a paradise you traitor ?

Rip Winkle Friday, 03 May 2024 08:45 PM

Pullma Ding-a-ling, Get educated.

Truth is always bitter Saturday, 04 May 2024 09:07 AM

@Pullma Ding-a-ling. Very true though your comment may offend someone like Rip Winkle.

jude Friday, 03 May 2024 07:55 AM

Just because company has the word global doesn't make it a global company. It was founded first in India by an Indian. That's Indian enough.

raj soma Friday, 03 May 2024 08:13 AM

All these year the Govt website did the work, why now this sudden out sourcing ? Maybe some one getting a Kick back ! This is really a dumb move by the Gov. Its going to hurt the country as $100.00 to visit a place as nothing to offer.

Terrence K Friday, 03 May 2024 08:34 AM

If the visa endorsement is retained by the Immigration of the the Sri Lanka government why not use the manpower resources of the country for processing these documents since we have a high percentage unemployed in the country from Universities etc. Logically the extra dollars could be retained by the country and by this the immigration could lower the visa fee which will boost tourists to visit our country. All politicians should understand when approving any proposal it should always think twice as we are gradually coming out of the rut of bankdruptcy as the saying goes little drops of water (dollars) makes a mighty ocean !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Down Under Friday, 03 May 2024 08:43 AM

First no country in the world has VFS issuing visas at the airport of that country. Second in no country including Australia has VFS staffed by foreigners.. You just lost the presidential election...

Rajiv De Silva Friday, 03 May 2024 08:53 AM

How I see, is that the present government does not care about the public opinion. So the public should be determined to get rid of these politicians at the next election. I am not sure whom to replace though.

Sokrates Friday, 03 May 2024 08:56 AM

VFS is a crooked company with unqualified employees. I don't know why the German embassy entrusts this company with collecting, checking documents and conducting interviews. During the regular extension of his business visa for Germany, my foster son had to translate documents in German into English for the incompetent VFS employees. An employee of mine who was applying for a business visa on behalf of my company requested that the interview be conducted in his native language, Tamil. This was refused. A form that he had to fill out there was also in English. He asked for the form in Tamil, which was also refused. The case is currently pending at the administrative court in Berlin. Here VFS is empowered at the CMB airport to stamp a visa for tourists in their passports which is certainly not constitutional as this is a sovereign task that can only be carried out by Sri Lankan officials. The whole project is a huge bribery affair that was quickly introduced before the elections.

controversey Friday, 03 May 2024 10:48 AM

Unfortunately VFS didn't realise that the staff recruited for the re-issuing of visas were all Indians because they think that indians are much smarter than others because the CEO''s of major companies like IBM Microsoft Adobe Infosys etc. are all Indians. India is an emerging super power and has a booming economy which doesn't seem to go very well with our friends due to jealoisy.

Rip Winkle Friday, 03 May 2024 08:40 PM

'Government defends outsourcing of visa process'. Yeah right! The Sri Lanka government! YEAH RIGHT!!! Hahahahahaha ..... !

Lumbini Friday, 03 May 2024 09:01 PM

This was different 10 years ago. VFS service was efficient and not questionable when applying for a visa through them. They only processed documents and biometrics. Proper biometrics scanning and analysis, before visa issuance minimize scams and other forms of illegal and terrorist acts. Take advantage of modern technological expertise and experience without jeopardizing current local deserving opportunities. It looks like some sects of all diasporas are upset and act aggressively.

Hunpala Nakihitan Saturday, 04 May 2024 01:45 AM

SL government is always correct and do the most honest service to the people of SL since 1948 until it ruined to the bottom! These all are NGO propaganda against the winning of them again!

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Government defends outsourcing of visa process

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