Further to a video currently circulating on social media of a passenger raising concerns of an Indian private company issuing visas for passengers travelling into Sri Lanka, concerns have a risen over who gave permission to this private company to operate.
Speaking to The Newsdesk Sri Lanka today (02), the Bandaranaike international Airport arrival Immigration department Spokesman stated that the company operated for only a few hours before passengers began complaining about the time taken and the officers not being Sri Lankan nationals.
“The company, I think, calls themselves VFS Global. But I don’t know who gave permission to them, maybe the Minister. We are still trying to find out what happened and who gave them permission to operate at the airport. The private company has now vacated the premises and the local immigration is back to issuing visas, but we are checking up on the matter,” the official said.
He further provided The Newsdesk Sri Lanka with a contact number of the Indian private company, whereas when contacted, the call recipient hung up abruptly without any remarks.
A Gazette notification has not been issued in this regard, neither has a cabinet approval been granted for a private firm to operate as such within the BIA premises.
Several attempts to contact the Ports and Shipping Minister, Nimal Siripala, has proved futile.
