Sajith demands answers on tourist visa fiasco

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa 

• Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa poses seven questions to authorities over recent tourist visa chaos 
• Says Public Security Minister’s clarifications on issue are inadequate 
• Asks justification for outsourcing visa process considering Sri Lanka’s simplified visa approval process
• Questions what factors influenced VFS Global to be picked over SLT-Mobitel

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa took to X (formerly Twitter) yesterday to pose seven key questions concerning Sri Lanka’s recent contentious decision to entrust its on-arrival visa process to VFS Global, a private entity which has now sparked extensive public outcry and controversy. 

The issue came to the limelight following the viral dissemination of a video on social media this week, where a passenger at the Bandaranaike International Airport was seen challenging the handling of the visa process by VFS Global. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles convened a special press conference yesterday and attempted to provide a clarification on the decision. 

Additionally, he announced that action would be taken against both the passenger and the person who recorded the video. Premadasa criticised Alles, stating that the clarification provided was inadequate.

The Opposition leader questioned the timing of the submission of Cabinet papers for the selection of VFS, the factors influencing the choice of VFS over SLT Mobitel, and the justification for outsourcing considering Sri Lanka’s simplified visa approval process. 

Additionally, he inquired about objections raised by the Tourism Minister regarding potential impacts on arrivals and any conversations between the Minister and VFS officials. Lastly, he sought clarification on VFS’s involvement in Sri Lanka tourism promotion and the basis for determining their scope of work and costs.

Premadasa cautioned that the ongoing confusion surrounding Sri Lanka’s tourism industry posed a significant threat. He emphasised the urgency of resolving the situation to safeguard the sector’s future.