Streamline unjust visa procedures 2

Thursday, 26 May 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

I read with much consternation the article by Bernard Fernando of Moratuwa titled ‘Streamline unjust visa procedures’ that appeared in the press at a time when Europe is being inundated with an unprecedented and uncontrollable influx of refugees triggered by the ongoing revolt in Syria and Iraq and the IS.

For once, Europe has become tolerant to pathetic refugees, long after its past refugee experiences with two World Wars. With that recent change of heart of the West (Europe and North America), it was assumed that relaxed visa rules, fees and the sociability and propriety of visa officers, tour operators, etc., have concurrently come into practice at these visa centres. Sadly it is not so as revealed in the said article.

It is now up to the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry to take this matter up with the UN and in particular with the Embassy concerned and put an end to this camouflage plundering of visa fees which is very evident when the tour operator had suggested that they re-apply paying visa fees for a second time.

R. Dodampegama

Ratmalana