News

Police refuse to greenlight today’s protest

Published

2 years ago

November 2, 2022

editor

The police have issued a letter informing the organisers of the protest planned to be held in Colombo this afternoon (2) that they will not be allowed to hold any demonstration outside the Fort Railway Station.

Police have sent this letter to the organisers with the signature of the Colombo Central II Division Assistant Superintendent of Police K. A. E. N. Dilruk.

It is mentioned in the letter that there may be disruptions to the public and private institutions as well as wholesale trade in Fort and Pettah due to a possible road blockage during the protest.

It further said that traffic congestion caused by the protest could disrupt transport activities and it will make an impact on bringing containers from the economic zones of Katunayake, Biyagama, Wathupitiwala and Kandy to the Port of Colombo.

Road closures due to the protest will also cause hardship and inconveniences to tourists.

The letter said that under Section 80 of the Police Ordinance, the permission of an Assistant Superintendent of Police should be obtained to use a gramophone, loudspeaker or megaphone or amplifier or any other device that produces or reproduces or amplifies sound mechanically. However, it said no such permission has been obtained.

It is further stated in the letter that if there are any inconvenience caused to the public, action will have to be taken under the Police Ordinance and other laws.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

8 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

13 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

15 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.