Relax visa regulations-SL to India

5 August 2012 03:18 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 20 Bookmark

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Sri Lanka has sought some relaxation on employment visa from India and both countries are engaged in negotiations to simplify the visa regime, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said today.

Sharma, who is here on an official visit, met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa over lunch today and discussed bilateral ties and the purpose of his visit to the island nation.

The Minister also apprised Rajapaksa of the decisions taken during the visit and India's decision to set up a Special Economic Zone on automobile, engineering goods and pharma hub.

Sources said Sharma informed Rajapaksa that Commerce Secretaries of both countries are already engaged in simplifying the visa regime. Sri Lanka has sought relaxation on the employment visa.

The sources said Rajapaksa told Sharma that he will visit India soon.

Yesterday, Sharma had discussed with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Pieris issues relating to customs clearance.

"We will resolve all issues relating to customs clearance. India will be sending a draft customs cooperation agreement to Sri Lanka soon," Sharma said.(Financial Express)

Comments - 20

Fair N Square Sunday, 05 August 2012 09:13 AM

relaxing visa regulations as a bargaining chip for the Indians to plant foot firmly on SL. Now an special economic zone, Pharma hub and more to follow......On the long run, India wants to annex SL to it's territories..... then we wont have the need for a visa... Wonder why we have to be so dependent on India...

4 10

SAMAN Tuesday, 07 August 2012 07:12 AM

don't trust India. millions of un employeed people will send to Sri Lanka. ultimately it will be a another path to Ealam

0 0

Nodrog Monday, 06 August 2012 01:22 PM

Good idea. This way India can just drive across and slowly take over everything.

0 7

Anil Monday, 06 August 2012 09:30 AM

No chance. the indians will come to take us over

0 2

lal Monday, 06 August 2012 07:48 AM

No, thank you, no bridge, no way! The cargo from India will be mainly Kallathonis in trucks, buses, bullock carts. The rest of the cargo will be inferior products. A wall around the north and east is what we need to keep those BACK STABBING INDIANS away from our shores.

0 0

sk Monday, 06 August 2012 06:03 AM

Good move by srilanka to ask india to relax. visa.People working in software industry can get jobs in India.

3 3

Ling Monday, 06 August 2012 03:58 AM

That is Indian arrogancy to impose their indian method to Sri Lanka. If SL head of state cannot see all this then is a sad thing.

3 3

Thanabalan Sunday, 05 August 2012 12:07 PM

Will that facilitate the Indian Prostitutes also to provide services?

6 12

saman Sunday, 05 August 2012 10:09 AM

Do the same to the Indians and they will get it.

4 5

Dilan Sunday, 05 August 2012 09:08 AM

If visa will grant only to employer in their Special Economic Zone, it's fine. However if Indian's going to employer in other private sector organizations, it will be a headache. Since so many qualified Sri Lankans are unemployed, this will be increased the unemployment.
If so this seems to be a another mode of Ceepa agreement..
Will see and act...

2 12

Lanka Shantha Sunday, 05 August 2012 03:55 AM

Build the bridge between India and Sri Lanka So people can travel with car and buses. Heavy trucks can bring cargo from other countries through India.
All the prices too will go down and we will get more benefits from it.

17 21

NADARAJAH SETHURUPAN Sunday, 05 August 2012 07:54 AM

Free border to The Indian Economic Area (IEA) laws that should be established.

6 4

Truth Sunday, 05 August 2012 07:13 AM

There is this person at IHC in Kandy; she is like change your name in the Indian order to issue a visa. We Sri Lankans respect and obtain visa and she wants the Sri Lankans to change the name in order to match the Indian way of writing.

Its high time the Colombo office looks into this issue. All the communities in Sri Lanka write the name in different style and why it is so difficult for her to understand this.

Kandy passport office is filled up with people for name amendments just because of this single person.

2 21

jack Sunday, 05 August 2012 06:49 AM

dont believe india. At last we will lose

8 14

Suny Sunday, 05 August 2012 06:17 AM

If GOSL decide to grant Visas for Indian to work in Sri Lanka will be one of the biggest mistake in the history of Sri Lanka. We have enough knowlegable workforce as of India

4 25

notheking Sunday, 05 August 2012 05:48 AM

LOL. who is going to work in India? MARA wants to import toilet cleaners here and flood the country for commission and benefits for his and his family. Everyone should get out now and stop this immediately. Hello Ranil, JVP and Fonseka time is UP

8 11

Sri Sunday, 05 August 2012 04:42 AM

India will make always favorable to them only. They sucks SL like what British people done.

9 20

samosa Sunday, 05 August 2012 04:55 AM

Indian companies will invest here and higher indian emplyees to run the production facilities. That's the main plan.

3 18

alwis Sunday, 05 August 2012 04:47 AM

This is a very important point.GOSL has given every concession to all other SAARC countries and beyond but what we get is 3rd class treatment.
When I apply for a business visa /visit visa they even ask for a home ministry clearance[MOHA] and a local embassy clearance [ if applied overseas].These are nonsence where no other embassy is asking.
May be the politicians do not feel this but it is such a hazzle to get a visa to India.As reported there are so many Indians in SL even with expired/wrongly used visa.Why dont the immigration act on tehse things.

3 24

nns Sunday, 05 August 2012 04:19 AM

good move and hpoe it will help in a better way

9 10

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