After Pushback, Sri Lanka Tries to Find Ways Around New, More Expensive Visa System
New Delhi: After pushback and technical glitches, Sri Lanka is coming up with ways to soften the blow of the new visa regime it had put in place a fortnight ago.
According to The Hindu, authorities are facing the claim that the higher visa costs could deter tourists. There have also been allegations that the tourism minister push to outsource visa processing was because of "corruption', and that there was an "Indian push".
From April 17 this year, those wanting to travel to Sri Lanka have had to use a new portal operated by VFS, rather than the Electronic Travel Authorisation system in use earlier. According to The Hindu, the old system was "known for its speed and accessibility". This change was based on a cabinet decision taken last year.
The new VFS system has led to a near-doubling of Sri Lanka's visa fees, as well as the addition of an $18.5 service fee and $5 convenience fee. Now, tourism minister Harin Fernando has said that he opposes these charges and they were not mentioned in the original deal. "When the new proposal was introduced, VFS charges were not mentioned. Since it came to light, I have objected to the proposal," he said on X. He has also claimed that the decision was not made by his ministry, despite the opposition's charges. He also claimed that his ministry is working on a proposal for visa-free travel for 50 countries.
Meanwhile, the charge emerged online that “Indians” were handling visa issuance at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. A video of this allegation went viral, according to The Hindu, and the Indian High Commission had to step in to say this was not the case. A statement from the High Commission said that the companies involved are “not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere” and “Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted”.
On the three companies involved in the new Sri Lankan system, The Hindu states:
"GBS Technology Services is Singapore based, and partners with IVS Global Services, a company incorporated in Maharashtra in 2010. Now a global outsourcing and technology services provider, IVS also processes Indian visa applications of Sri Lankans. VFS Global, founded in India in 2001, is currently headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, and was acquired by American private equity firm Blackstone in 2021."
Since the Sri Lankan government has said it plans to promote tourism, the increase in visa fees is being viewed with trepidation. From an industry point of view, we have no problem with opting for a technologically advanced system. But we don’t understand why the old system, which was simple and effective, is being replaced with much higher costs to visitors,” Nishad Wijetunga, president of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, told The Hindu.
A specific problem in the new system has arisen for Indian travellers wanting to go to Sri Lanka. Since October 2023, Sri Lanka had waived the visa fee for Indians and citizens of six other countries. However, now Indian applicants are having to pay about $23 while applying – because while the visa is free, the convenience and service charges remain.
Another complaint was that the cheaper single-entry visa option was no longer available. According to Economy Next, the public security minister has announced that a cheaper 30-day single entry visa for a lower cost will be reintroduced.
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