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Tourists inconvenienced at Mattala Airport!

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Tourists arriving at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) had to face grave inconveniences due to the delay in getting visas and making payments, it is learnt.

Therefore, over 400 passengers arrived on December 29 and 1,000 passengers arrived on the day before yesterday (02) had been compelled to wait at the airport for three to four hours.

There are only two employees at the counter to pay visa fees while there are only six employees at the visa stamping counter.

However, it was reported that the same service is provided by only two counters at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). MRIA employees said slow internet speed and outdated computers were causing delays in the process.

On the day before yesterday, 1,024 passengers arrived at the Airport from three planes.

There are no duty-free or normal shopping complexes, as well as restaurants for visiting tourists at the MRIA.

Therefore, the passengers have to wait in the airport or in the bus for hours until they arrive at the hotel they have reserved.

Meanwhile, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya told the media that this situation has arisen because the Central Bank of Sri Lanka does not accept the electronic bank cards of Russian tourists even though they have been given the opportunity to obtain visas online.

He said the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited has been informed of this situation and more counters will be opened as soon as the necessary facilities are available.

He also said that they have requested approval to hire 60 essential employees for the department.

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Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

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Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the police today that eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin and not to be afraid to use weapons.

He made these remarks while participating in the passing out parade at Katukurunda STF Training camp.

“Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and we stand by you,” the minister said.

“The police officers who had undergone the training know what to do. They know everything that is needed. If this team is not enough, another police motorcycle team will be established. We have a goal. All the police officers know what that goal is. I just want to go for that goal. I have done everything, including salary increases for all of you. I only expect you to go for the goal,” the minister further said.

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of the Minister, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

These trained 50 motorcycle teams commenced anti-underworld duties yesterday.

The team was given two weeks special training to respond to incidents involving gunmen committing crimes on motorcycles and take necessary action against them.

(dailymirror.lk)

 (This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Public urged to use only Immigration Dept’s webpage for e-visa

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration has urged the public to apply for e-visas exclusively through the official Home Page of www.immigration.gov.lk.

In a bid to streamline visa processing and combat fraudulent activities, the Department rolled out a new visa methodology effective from April 17, 2024. This marked the termination of visa applications through the ETA website.

However, concerns have arisen regarding unauthorized websites impersonating the official platform www.srilankaevisa.lk, leading unsuspecting applicants to fall victim to scams, the Department notes.

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Duminda appointed as SLFP’s Acting Gen. Secretary

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The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed MP Duminda Dissanayake as the party’s Acting General Secretary.

He was appointed during the politburo meeting convened by the faction backing Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva this evening (April 25).

On Wednesday (24), the Colombo District Court issued an injunction preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP and implementation of the decisions taken by him as the SLFP Acting General Secretary.

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