The cumbersome new visa processing system that has caused confusion among users, especially tourists, has led to the Sri Lankan travel industry taking the matter up to highest court in the land – the Supreme Court – seeking redress.
The tourism industry states that it was in November last year that the industry saw for the first time in years the tourism arrivals surpassing the 2015 figures. Then in January 2024 arrivals went beyond both 2015 and 2016 levels.
But after mid-April 2024 when Sri Lanka introduced the controversial VFS Global Visa system arrivals dropped below 2017 levels and continued to fall ending May and June below 2015 levels.
Despite repeated discussions with authorities regarding the impact of this cumbersome visa processing system, that has also caused much confusion among users, no remedy has been forthcoming.
In this respect, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism, Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference Exhibition Organizers, Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association and the Tourism Alliance with the support of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka have filed Fundamental Rights Petition case no. SCFR 218/2024 challenging the new tourist visa process that was introduced without forewarning in April 2024, creating chaos for tourists.
The previous system was simple, user friendly and well accepted as one of the best in the region.
SLAITO President Nishad Wijetunga said that the current system is complicated so much that from the previous 10-11 questions posed to applicants, now they are asked around 30 questions.
Once tourists log in to the Sri Lanka Immigration Department website they are directed to the VFS Global website where they are then asked which country they want to travel to, which is very confusing, it was pointed out.
This has now become a deterrent to enticing travellers to visit Sri Lanka; Mr Wijetunga said, adding that although seven countries are issued free visas they are being asked to still pay the processing fee of US$10.
THASL President M Shanthikumar highlighted that this new visa processing system has impacted the industry greatly leading to a drop in arrivals. The usual arrivals have been on the decline, he noted insisting that most Indian travellers have found this problematic based on the feedback obtained from them.
The hidden charges are causing the visas to become more expensive and the site is not user-friendly, Mr Shanthikumar noted.
By Sunimalee Dias