Since yesterday, the responsibility for issuing on Arrival Visas at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport has been transferred to a private Indian company. Shortly after they commenced operations, lengthy queues formed within the airport. As the situation escalated with foreign tourists becoming unruly, Mr. Harsha Ilukpitiya, the Director General of Immigration and Emigration, intervened by temporarily halting the Indian company’s visa issuance activities.
Previously, Immigration Department officials swiftly processed visas upon travellers’ arrival at Katunayake Airport. They waived fees for visitors from key tourist countries such as India and China, while charging $20 for 30-day visas for SAARC nations and $50 for other countries. Additionally, visas were provided free of charge for children under 12 and migrant passengers.
The newly contracted Indian company imposed fees of $22 for SAARC tourists and $25 for others, alongside service and convenience charges. Consequently, the total visa cost now amounts to $100.77, with $25 directed to the Indian company, according to an immigration department source.
Given these changes, if Sri Lanka hosts three million tourists annually, the Indian company stands to generate $66 million or 2000 crore rupees in revenue, the official emphasized.
Source: Lankadeepa
