The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has refuted reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.
Issuing a clarification, the Indian High Commission informed that the companies referred to in a recent incident at the airport were not Indian or Indian-based and are instead headquartered elsewhere.
“Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted,” the Indian High Commission added.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of an incident reported at the airport a few days ago, in which a Sri Lankan national was seen criticising the new e-visa system.
Furthermore, the Sri Lankan Government official Dinouk Colombage tweeted that the issuance of visas to foreign visitors remains under the jurisdiction of the immigration department and has not been outsourced to any private company.
In a video circulating on social media, an agitated Sri Lankan national claimed that Indian companies who had taken over visa processing at the BIA were causing delays and levying extra processing fees. (Newswire)
In a video circulating on social media, an agitated Sri Lankan national claimed that Indian companies who had taken over visa processing at the BIA were causing delays and levying extra processing fees. (NewsWire)
Tense situation at BIA over delay in issuing visa on arrival pic.twitter.com/ORrzlCDDtA
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