Govt. seeks AG advice on implementing visa free scheme for 38 countries

By Nishel Fernando
The new government has sought the Attorney General’s (AG) advice to implement the visa free scheme for 38 countries, which was set to come into effect from October 01.
Although the Cabinet approval was granted for the scheme, Cabinet Spokesman and Minster Vijitha Herath pointed out that the previous government has failed to obtain the parliamentary approval to implement this scheme. As Parliament remains dissolved, it remains unclear as to how to implement this scheme before the new Parliament meets after November 14. 
Therefore, Herath has sought the AG’s advice on the possibility of implementing this programme on pending parliamentary approval.

Meanwhile, Herath revealed that the Auditor General’s office has launched a forensic audit into the possible irregularities of the VFS visa deal.
From October 26 onwards, the government restored the previous via system for all foreign nations arriving in Sri Lanka, in following a court order.
Herath noted that the technical matters relating to restoring the previous web portal was resolved within a matter of few hours.