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Long queues for on-arrival visa at BIA
Long queues were witnessed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today for on-arrival visas. Sri Lanka is yet to revert to the previous visa approval and issuing system after the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of the VFS-led system.
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Comments - 41
Comments - Long queues for on-arrival visa at BIA
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Voter Sunday, 01 September 2024 10:01 PM
Well done Ranil.
15 45
ratawenuwen Monday, 02 September 2024 01:19 AM
This is just because, they fail the VFS program and government had no choice but to go for this, . The supreme court oredered to cancel VFS deal, and go for the previous system since it's not good for the country. But the previous system has become challenge to reinstate, therefore, government had no choice but to implement this. And this was not implemented with the intention to boost the tourism but didn't have any alternate solution. if this was done before, going for VFS, we will praise, but this decision was taken when nothing was workable, 1. VFS was orederd to cancel 2. Old system was not able be reinstated Therefore, don't praise for something happened by accident without having any choice. At least if this is not initiated, the normal arrival of tourist also will be affected because no VFS, no previous system.
23 6
dinesh Monday, 02 September 2024 01:05 PM
the governing politicians should be made responsible for the unmeasurable damage that is being done to the country, be it due to incompetency or purposeful sabotage ?? .
0 12
Amaree Monday, 02 September 2024 07:05 AM
Politicos who make corrupt deals are not at all bothered about the ECONOMY.
3 19
Mahila Monday, 02 September 2024 08:14 AM
With due Apologies, A necessary correction is been SUGGESTED based on the 'VERIFIED FACTS' RELATING TO ON-ARRIVAL VISA MATTER as the SCENARIO DEVELOPED since June - has CHANGED NOT BECAUSE OF RANIL, BUT THE deliverance of JUSTICE, by the SUPREME COURT, RESPONDING to an APPLICATION ON FUNDEMENTAL RIGHTS!!?? RANIL CAN'T be BLAMED for BOTH, which is IMPOSSIBILITY!!?? (only ONE) Either, (1) Inviting VFS for On-Line Arrival Visas, OR (2) Implementing Supreme Court Order and the wisdom of it, et all!!?? Make the CHOICE and explicitly express meaningfully, to NULLIFY misunderstandings!??
11 8
Ex audit officer Sunday, 01 September 2024 10:46 PM
Sri Lanka is not fit to manage this type of issues. It’s because of poorly qualified people assigned to these jobs by bribery and corruption.The well qualified intelligent staff has no chance to get these jobs. Please audit the calibre , qualification, relationship to politicians and produce a report.
2 76
Dinesh Monday, 02 September 2024 08:17 AM
Well said... bribery and corruption are everywhere....that is why we need a system change. Sajith cannot get rid of bribery and corruption, it will increase ten fold. Ranil had his chnace and never did anything. Only one person is capable of doing this.
0 21
Be Fair Monday, 02 September 2024 08:44 AM
When they cant do a simple job like this, how do you expect them to do an Audit and produce a report
0 14
Patriot Monday, 02 September 2024 09:04 AM
Well said I totally agree with you, competencies in question due to political appointments from top to bottom level.
0 11
DAR Sunday, 01 September 2024 10:54 PM
Visa fees/departure tax/government service charges can be included in the price of ticket then collected from airline directly. Many countries do. ETA requirements such as security clearances can be integrated with airline check-in systems then carried out by airlines during check-in of passengers. Smart Gates at Arrivals can be used for biometric processing and data matching of e-passport holders. Entire departure process can be automated using smart gates. There are many ways to reduce long queues at immigration counter.
0 12
Tissa Fernando Sunday, 01 September 2024 11:15 PM
I was once in transit Frankfurt Airport while going to another european country. I spent 3 hours in the transit clearance que as anyone who enters first EU country should clear through immigration. US immigration counters also take about 2 to 3 hours in general. While they should start implementing the online platform , they should increase number of counters. They should have systems to verify passport authenticity and individual eligibility. With all these facilities US and Germany experiences were mostly 3 hours in the queue. Since we need more tourists we should be more efficient.
2 8
Hadam Monday, 02 September 2024 03:31 PM
Yes agree. I have spent hours in the ques at European countries just because I don't have an European passport. Only dilemma here is the Europeans don't want us but we need these tourist to boost economy and should facilitate their smooth transfer.
0 0
Sam Nathan Monday, 02 September 2024 12:17 AM
Sri Lanka smiles. Cheer up tourists. Grin and bear, you can get back home in a couple of weeks. Rest of us have an election to look forward to. No doubt we will put the same (or may be different) crooks and wonder why there are no smiles in the emerald isle. I promise you tourists you are the lucky ones.
0 6
Chandana Amarawardana Monday, 02 September 2024 12:27 AM
I arrived last week and had to line up more than 45 minutes. I thought Sri Lanka needs the tourists to earn the much needed foreign exchange and this is the first impression ??
0 12
lk Monday, 02 September 2024 02:23 AM
most of Sri Lankan civil service professionals are dump heads and they do not think quickly and respond quickly on the spot . Look at the passport office, look at the other offices. They do not have problem solving skills. what do they do if they see like this? what can they do? will they protect this? are these people illegal migrants why do you keep them waiting. come up with quick mechanism to resolve this, it is duty manager who must act swiftly
0 12
Izzy Monday, 02 September 2024 02:44 AM
Ranil Rajapakse Jayawewa!
0 10
Ram P Monday, 02 September 2024 04:26 AM
A friend of mine a dual citizen had to wait in the immigration queue for over a hour. Visa on arrival queue has been very long. My friend's queue served by two counter officers. Third counter officer has been there attends to two passengers and then walks away returning after 10 minutes. He needed a break after serving two customers. The airport is aware of the arrival of the planes and the crowded or busy times. Rosters must be prepared for these visa counters and immigration counters to be attended by more staff around the busy hours.
0 10
Bandara Gamaga Monday, 02 September 2024 04:55 AM
Ask the minister responsible for running the airport. What is he going to do?
0 11
Gen Monday, 02 September 2024 04:58 AM
This is the problem with people in the judiciary making decisions without knowing the industry.
10 5
Sena Monday, 02 September 2024 05:11 AM
What an awful experience on arrival to our beautiful country. This is what happens when you have Grade 10 dropouts holding high positions in society.
0 13
S B Lokuge Monday, 02 September 2024 05:17 AM
Ranil is responsible for this visa issuing mess by using his corrupt national security minister Tiran Alles to implement this visa scam to fund his election campaign. Ranil used the BOND SCAM money to fund his previous election.
2 15
Nimal 1 Monday, 02 September 2024 06:14 AM
The disease that afflicted passports has now spread to visas as well. What could this government handle properly? What a fitting way to welcome these guests who will improve our economy. This epitomises the sheer unenlightenement and lethargy of the public service in Sri Lanka.
0 11
Sunil Monday, 02 September 2024 07:03 AM
They come with high hopes of relaxing and enjoy and this is what they get. Good work by pina.
0 11
Ananda Weerasekera Monday, 02 September 2024 07:18 AM
Yes, "Sri Lanka Can" under RW , has become the classic example of absolute corruption, total mismanagement and malgovernance. Good luck Ranil for your retirement after 21/9.
2 10
Sambo Monday, 02 September 2024 07:38 AM
The arriving passengers should be be cleared ASAP and not make them wait hours in long queues. The government talks of but does not care of how they are been harassed on arrival. What a stupid country is this. Add more counters and make the process quick.
0 12
MirakRajBanda Monday, 02 September 2024 08:00 AM
Welcome to Sorry Lanka. First impression counts. Check the TripAdvisor comments please.
0 15
Adwani Monday, 02 September 2024 08:00 AM
Immediately, the Immigration must attend otherwise this poor Island will become beggars Island. Issuing Visa needs only to enter some details of passport and stamping the passport. We will never get this type of an opportunity from Tourism if we keep on dragging. The Immigration Officials must stop demanding bribes and something from Tourist.
0 10
Des Sorochan Monday, 02 September 2024 08:19 AM
Not inviting for or to make travel plans. Other destinations will be chosen. Sad for Sri Lanka
0 10
Joshua Monday, 02 September 2024 08:23 AM
I think the government is purposely not doing anything about this. Just to show that we cannot do anything without the Indian company. Great shoe Ranil for development of tourism
0 11
Raj Monday, 02 September 2024 08:28 AM
'Puluwan Sri Lanka' This clearly shows that Ranil got rid of Gas and fuel queue not due to his actions/vision or strategy but due to things such as increase worker remittance, increased tourism following end to Covid-19 restricts, loans from India, China
1 11
Mohamed Thajul Ansar Ariff Monday, 02 September 2024 09:03 AM
May be they flock Sri Lanka to vote for ANURA. Colombo Man
0 10
Rip Winkle Monday, 02 September 2024 10:56 AM
This chaos is totally unnecessary. Obviously a result of vindictive actions after the supreme court ruling.
0 8
Priyan66 Monday, 02 September 2024 11:39 AM
We should not vote for people who cannot give passport to citizens and restore e-visa system we have done for years Corruption at max so reject them in next vote
0 7
P Kunchithapathan Monday, 02 September 2024 11:44 AM
The perpetrators behind the VFS scam are now desperate for the current system to fail at any cost. The businessman who also serves as the Minister of Public Security seems utterly defeated after the Supreme Court's verdict. Just look at how the government is handling the tourism industry—a vital source of foreign currency. They seem entirely unconcerned about the revenue loss during this ongoing economic crisis. The President's silence on all these scams suggests he may be complicit in the wrongdoing.
0 6
Sri Citizen Monday, 02 September 2024 12:41 PM
We expect tourists but no plans to put additional counters to make the visitors happy, just like passport office for not ordering blank passport well in advance.
0 8
Shelliah Monday, 02 September 2024 01:07 PM
its fine better than VFS Global what did and paying $ 18 commision for each person to the foreign company.October starting all visa fee free arrivals, Europa also facing long Queue because changing visa and entry system with face ID and finger print. better open more counter than one or two.
1 9
Hard Truth Monday, 02 September 2024 02:43 PM
Standing on queue is better that VFS scam. Even other country visa counters too full. See for Malaysia. airport. Compared to Sri Lanka lengty queue. Still tourist come. Don't just complain foriegners are in the queue. The only remedy is just open more counter. No VFS scam required.
1 7
Manel Monday, 02 September 2024 02:44 PM
The shift to VFS is v concerning. The majority shareholder holder is Blackstone, a supporter (both the company
0 0
Peter Monday, 02 September 2024 06:33 PM
Kudos to the Supreme Court for suspending the VFS system which was implemented with a complete lack of transparency. Surely, when this decision was handed down, in order to ensure a seamless transition (and maintain tourist goodwill), the Department of Immigration and Emigration should have taken over the responsibility for visa issuances straight away? Is this slip up a result of diverted bureaucratic minds given the upcoming Presidential Election?
0 3
Ananda Jayasinghe Monday, 02 September 2024 08:31 PM
This is ignorance of the reporter as well as those who comment. We have stood in much longer queues for sometimes more than half hour to get the stamp even after reaching the destinations with proper visa in US, UK and Australia. Everybody should understand the positive side of it of the influx of the tourists. Hope they are nof coming vote for any party during the elections.
0 0
Rip Winkle Monday, 02 September 2024 09:09 PM
I couldn't agree more! You're so correct.
0 0
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