Court was misled on new visa issuance scheme – Tiran

• Public Security Minister Tiran Alles claims court was not informed that regulations on visa issuance has changed 
• Stresses SL cannot revert to old visa issuing system despite court directive as entire immigration system is now being overhauled 
• Claims any attempt to revert to old system run by Mobitel might even take months to implement 
• Notes SL tourist arrivals increased with introduction of new visa issuing system

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has said the Court has been misled concerning Sri Lanka’s issuance of Visas via VFS Global. 

Speaking at a press conference yesterday the Minister was asked if failing to revert to the previous Visa system could be considered contempt of court. Responding Minister Alles said the court had been misled and the matter would need to be addressed in court once more. 

“The court directed us to return to the old system, but it was not informed that the regulations have been amended. These changes were passed in Parliament and gazetted, but this information was not provided to the Supreme Court. The court will learn of this when the other side presents its case. We cannot revert to the previous system as we are in the process of overhauling the entire immigration system. Any attempt will take months,” Alles explained.

The Minister also addressed accusations that the Government is involved with a shell company for visa issuance. The Minister said that the company has provided evidence disproving such claims.

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles revealed that VFS, the company entrusted by the Government to issue on-arrival visas, charges $ 18.50 per applicant. However, for the 30-day visa, which costs $ 50, VFS only charges $ 10 per application. 

He is unaware of VFS Global’s total earnings from issuing on-arrival visas. “I only know our earnings. You can determine the amount by calculating the number of tourists who have arrived and multiplying it by $ 18.50 and $ 10,” he explained.

Alles noted that Sri Lanka introduced several new visa categories in April 2024, which has led to an increase in tourist arrivals.

He added that since VFS began its operations, the country has earned Rs. 4.5 billion. He said previously, the Department of Immigration and Emigration paid Rs. 2 million a month to Mobitel and another private company. With the VFS project, these costs have been eliminated, resulting in additional savings, the Minister claimed. 

The Minister clarified that VFS is a Singapore-based company, not an Indian one, and their system is operational in 67 countries.

He explained, “From the information I have, Mobitel was issuing visas with support from a partner in India. The servers and technical support were all provided by India. When we requested Mobitel to improve the system, they initially proposed updates focused only on the existing visa categories. It was only at the last minute that they presented an expanded proposal, which involved collaboration with a company from Malaysia.”

He clarified that the decision to increase the visa fee was made by the Government, not by VFS Global. 

Commenting on the Yukthiya anti-drug and crime operation, Minister Alles said it has come to a standstill due to the absence of an IGP.

He noted that Deshabandu Tennakoon while serving as IGP, had developed daily operational plans that effectively tackled crime and drug issues. Despite the current halt in the Yukthiya operation, Alles assured that his ministry has implemented all necessary measures to ensure adequate security during the election.

Alles also urged the public to apply for passports only in case of emergencies and to wait until October for regular applications. From October, Sri Lanka will begin issuing e-passports that comply with international standards, he said.

He added that the new passports, which will meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, are expected to improve Sri Lanka’s standing in the Global Passport Index.

Alles noted that currently, only 23% of issued passports are used, while the passport office processes 1,000 new applications daily.