Greater than 13 lakh vacationers visited Sri Lanka until August 2024, producing greater than $2 billion in income. | Picture credit score: AFP
Sri Lanka’s newly elected authorities, led byPresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake restored the nation’s previous visa system, complying with a current Supreme Court docket order that suspended a controversial new portal run by a consortium that included an Indian firm.
Additionally learn: Tourism-dependent Sri Lanka faces backlash over new visa system
The announcement was made late Thursday (September 26, 2024), practically two months after the nation’s highest court docket ordered immigration authorities to return to the net platform that was in use earlier than the administration of Ranil Wickremesinghe will swap to the brand new system, incorporating GBS Expertise. Companies, IVS International Companies, registered in India, and VFS International.
In April this yr, the Wickremesinghe authorities opted for the brand new system. Following the transfer, Sri Lanka’s visa payment nearly doubled, elevating considerations throughout the island nation’s tourism business, a key supply of international foreign money.
“The visa service supplied by VFS International has precipitated vital hardship for a lot of. Particularly foreigners who arrived in Sri Lanka skilled appreciable difficulties in acquiring their visa,” mentioned Public Safety Minister Vijitha Herath.
In July, three outstanding opposition MPs, MA Sumanthiran, Rauff Hakeem and Champika Ranawaka, filed a case within the Supreme Court docket in opposition to the federal government for allegedly “aiding and perpetrating a multi-million greenback rip-off” to introduce the brand new system. Corruption watchdog Transparency Worldwide Sri Lanka (TISL), additionally filed a Elementary Rights petition calling for motion in opposition to “procedural violations and abuse of public belief” by officers in hiring personal entities to deal with the Digital Journey Authorization (ETA) system.
On August 2, the Supreme Court docket issued an interim order staying the Cupboard choice approving new on-line and visa operations for expatriates in Sri Lanka. On account of the court docket order, authorities have been anticipated to revive the previous visa system with instant impact. On Wednesday (September 25, 2024), the pinnacle of the Immigration and Emigration Division, Harsha Ilukpitiya, was arrested for failing to behave on the Supreme Court docket’s choice for greater than a month after its ruling.
“Sri Lanka recorded over 2 lakh vacationer arrivals each month till the swap to the brand new through system in April this yr, after which the numbers declined, information launched by the Sri Lanka Tourism Improvement Authority confirmed. Greater than 13 lakh vacationers visited Sri Lanka until August 2024, producing greater than $2 billion in income. Indian vacationers are amongst those that are exempt from paying the visa payment. They’re anticipated to use for an Digital Journey Authorization (ETA) earlier than arriving in Sri Lanka,” a observe on the visa portal learn.
Revealed – September 27, 2024 05:24 pm IST