The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka has sought clarification from the Ministry of Public Security on the procedure to obtain visas for foreign journalists covering the 2024 Presidential Elections, due to the current issues related to Sri Lanka’s visa issuance system.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, the Association pointed out that despite assurances that foreign correspondents intending to cover the presidential elections will have unimpeded access to the country, several overseas Sri Lankan missions have informed they are no longer able to issue “journalist” visas.
“Several of our colleagues who have applied for visas through Sri Lankan missions in their home countries have been informed that, following the Supreme Court’s decision in early August, these missions are no longer able to issue “journalist” visas. In the past, these visas allowed journalists to obtain media accreditation from the Director-General of Information.
“Given this new situation, we would be grateful for clarification on the correct procedure for obtaining a visa, as well as the required documentation. This will help ensure that all relevant authorities are aware of the process,” the Association said.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka further said that foreign media organisations will not deploy staff without proper accreditation, and therefore, the updated system for obtaining visas and media accreditation needed to be communicated to avoid any hindrance to journalistic duties during this important election period.
Sri Lanka is currently facing an issue with visa issuance at the Katunayake Airport, after the new visa issuance system by global visa processing service, VFS Global and its charges came under the spotlight earlier this year.
A probe launched by the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) also found that VFS Global had been picked without calling for official bids, resulting in the Department of Immigration and Emigration losing out on receiving competitive rates for visa issuance.
In July this year, three petitions were filed at the Supreme Court against Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles and the government against the VFS visa procedure. The Supreme Court had, thereafter, suspended the VFS visa issuance system and ordered the old system to be re-implemented, which is yet to be enforced. (Newswire)