News

Sports Minister’s daughters in SLC President’s visa letter request list?

Published

9 months ago

July 29, 2023

editor

The two relatives of Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who the Daily Mirror reported earlier this week were among individuals who received letters of endorsement from SLC for Australian visas last year, were names put forward by SLC President Shammi Silva, it is learnt.

Last week, a draft of the Auditor General’s report into the expenses incurred by SLC for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia revealed that SLC had spent Rs. 68 million on sending its officials to Australia, while also revealing 35 names of individuals

The names of R A Shanali Dinushika and R A Sarah Dinali, who are believed to be the daughters of the Sports Minister, were among the 21 names that Silva had requested letters of endorsement for.

SLC has maintained that while it did issue letters for visa purposes stating that the individuals were traveling to watch the World Cup it did not fund their trips and the only expenses incurred were for SLC officials.

The Daily Mirror reached out to the Minister for a confirmation of if had indeed made a request for these letters for the two individuals believed to be his daughters, but he did not respond.

The SLC President, when contacted by the Daily Mirror, said that he did not want to comment on the matter.

(dailymirror)

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

52 mins 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

5 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

7 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.