By: Vibhuti Pathak
Two foreign firms have expressed dismay over the on-arrival visa controversy at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, citing sabotage suspicions during technical glitches. The companies have raised their concerns with the Public Security Ministry.
The government handed over the on-arrival visa services to two foreign companies – GBS-IVS and VFS Global – on April 17, after which issues were raised by tourists regarding the delay of services.
The companies attributed the delay to technical glitches.
Last Wednesday night, there was a severe backlog at the on-arrival visa counter at the BIA as the internet failed. This led to VLS Global raising concerns of sabotage to disrupt the service.
As per the sources, the foreign companies involved had raised these concerns with the Public Security Ministry and the government will soon commence a probe. Before GBS-IVS took over the on-arrival visa issuance at the BIA, the counter was handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
As GBS-IVS and VFS Global were delayed in getting the platform back up, the on-arrival visa counter was handed back to the Department of Immigration and Emigration which then continued a smooth operation once again.
“Surprisingly when GBS-IVS and VFS Global were handed over the counter, the internet at the BIA failed and for several hours staff attempted to get the system back online. VFS and GBS have raised these concerns of sabotage with the Public Security Ministry,” a senior source familiar with the incident said.
