President appoints Inter-Ministerial Secretaries Committee to implement National Visa Policy

Saturday, 4 May 2024 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando says Committee led by Secretary to President Saman Ekanayake is tasked with addressing concerns and delivering recommendations within a month
Aims to unify various opinions, policies of Immigration, Tourism and Foreign Affairs Ministry into comprehensive framework

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has established an Inter-Ministerial Secretaries Committee tasked with implementing a National Visa Policy.

The development follows intense criticism faced by the Government over the outsourcing of the visa system to a foreign entity which earlier operated under the supervision of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Speaking to the media, Fernando disclosed the committee, led by Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, has been entrusted with addressing the concerns surrounding the visa system and delivering recommendations within a month.

“The proposed policy aims to unify various opinions and policies held by the Immigration, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs Ministries into a single comprehensive framework,” stated Fernando.

He insisted on the need for coherence and consistency in visa regulations to streamline processes for travellers and stakeholders.

“Under the proposed timeline, the committee is expected to finalise the policy within 30 days. Once endorsed by Parliament, the policy will be legally binding, requiring any future amendments to undergo a similar Parliamentary approval process,” he explained.

Fernando highlighted the significance of establishing a robust and transparent visa policy that aligns with national interests while promoting tourism and facilitating international travel.

President...

“As Sri Lanka seeks to enhance its position as an attractive tourist destination, the implementation of a cohesive national policy is essential in achieving these objectives,” he said.