News

Restrictions on marrying a foreigner to be relaxed

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2022

editor

Sri Lanka is planning on relaxing the restrictions on all marriages between Sri Lankans and foreigners.

P. S. P. Abeywardena, the country’s Registrar General noted that Circular No:-18/2021 on registration of Marriages between Foreigners and Sri Lankans will be abolished.

According to this circular, a Health Declaration is necessary for the confirmation of the health conditions from the relevant foreign national.

In addition, a Security Clearance Report indicating the foreign national has not been convicted of any offence is also necessary, as per the circular.

However, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had noted that these restrictions must be relaxed.

Accordingly, the Registrar General’s Department had informed the Defence Ministry, and the Health Ministry to introduce alternative processes with regard to a Health Declaration, and Security Clearance Report.

Registrar General P. S. P. Abeywardena noted that the Attorney General’s Department was also informed of these developments.

Any Sri Lankan citizen who wants to marry a foreigner will have to wait for a ‘Security Clearance Report’ from the Defence Ministry before proceeding to the registration of the marriage, according to a circular issued by the Registrar General’s Department in 2021.

These restrictions are to be relaxed, as per the country’s Registrar General.

(News1st)

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.