The Finance Committee presented its report to Parliament this morning (12) on the acquisition of online visa and foreign passport application services involving the Department of Immigration and Emigration and various institutions.
Dr. Harsha de Silva, the chairman of the committee, acknowledged that the presentation came amidst significant challenges. He noted that despite objections, the Secretary General of Parliament was summoned to the committee, where he faced severe criticism from some members.
The report highlights the involvement of a group of organizations referred to as GBS, which is the authorized agency for online visa applications. Technology Services and I.V.S. Global – F.Z.CO. V.F. is identified as the technical partner, alongside Worldwide Holdings Ltd.
Key issues identified by the Finance Committee include:
- Unclear Fee Structure: The fee structure lacks transparency, with discrepancies in service charges and additional facility charges.
- Data Disclosure and Termination: There is a potential data breach that could trigger termination clauses, requiring further investigation.
- Conflicting Exclusivity: The exclusivity granted to these companies conflicts with the continuation of existing service providers.
- Uninvested Funds: A provision of US$ 200 million remains uninvested and unexplained.
The committee has made the following recommendations:
5.1 Forensic Audit: The Auditor General should conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the procurement process using the data from this report. The Committee on Government Finance (COPF) revealed on June 4, 2024, that the Auditor General has already commenced this audit. The committee has requested its expedited completion. The audit findings will guide actions, which may include terminating or amending the outsourcing agreement.
5.2 Data Safety Review: The Committee on Public Safety should review the KPMG report (as per section 3.5.5) and take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of data handled through the electronic passport system. Recommendations should be made to the Ministry, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the Sri Lanka Data Protection Authority.
