Govt. reinstates previous visa issuing system effective from midnight

The full statement made by Minister Vijitha Herath

The people were greatly affected by giving the visa facility to VFS. Especially foreigners coming to Sri Lanka had to face a problematic situation in obtaining visas.

Therefore, with the intervention of the Ministry of Public Security, according to the court's decision, within the past 24 hours, visa issuance was resumed according to the old system. Accordingly, it will be possible to get visa easily from 12.00 midnight today. Foreigners can now easily apply for a visa online. Visas will be issued within 24 hours after starting these activities from 12 midnight today. This is a big win.

The visa issue was a problem that caused great distress. Now we have solved that problem. We consulted the Attorney General about it. We acted immediately according to the court decision.

Also, we have already arranged for an immediate forensic audit on the irregularity caused by providing this to VFS. The irregularities in this transaction will be investigated through the audit and legal action will be taken in the future.

Accordingly, those in the business and investment field will now also get the same facility .