Travel freedom for Sri Lankans

It was then reported that the rates would be rolled back to USD 10 for SAARC country nationals and USD 20 for all others.

The back and forth since the beginning of 2010 is a less-than-optimal way of running public policy, but still, not a bad outcome from the perspective of the tourist industry.

A Foreign Service that earns its keep

The critical intervention came from the Indian High Commission which protested the effect of the USD 50 charge on Indian citizens. This is a model worth emulation by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs. Reducing the hassles and expenses Sri Lankan passport holders are subjected to should be one of the high priority tasks for the Ministry and the foreign missions under it in 2012.

The Indian Foreign Service looks after its citizens; ours should too.

Over the past decades, the pressures created by the war and an economy that was not growing fast enough caused many Sri Lankans to leave the country by means that were not always legal. The case of the “Handball Team” that illegally entered Germany, documented in the film Machang, exemplified the phenomenon. Understandably, the countries subjected to this barrage of lies and deception tightened their procedures.

But now the war is over. The economy is growing at a healthy pace and is likely to keep growing. Life is not so rosy in the rest of the world, with high unemployment in many countries and anti-immigrant sentiment rising. It is now time for the restrictions to be relaxed. This cannot be done by individual citizens writing letters to the newspapers. It is the duty of the Ministry of External Affairs to represent us: to object when other countries impose unreasonable burdens and to propose constructive solutions that minimize inconvenience to the law-abiding.

Over the past decades, Sri Lanka’s foreign missions have been converted into “home-away-from-home” services for visiting Sri Lankans in government or with connections and as patronage rewards. It is high time they started doing something useful for the common citizens too.

Priority plan for 2012

The new visa regime has three categories: (a) free for Singapore and Maldives; (b) USD 10 for SAARC countries; and (c) USD 20 for the rest of the world. It can be used as leverage (with some countries, at least).

First, the Ministry of External Affairs should compile and publish a good database of visa formalities and fees affecting Sri Lankans. This would be a service in and of itself. They could then inform the Controller of Immigration and Emigration of any countries other than Singapore and Maldives that give free entry to Sri Lankans. Nepal, a SAARC country that Sri Lankans visit on pilgrimage, does not charge a visa fee from Sri Lankans. Possibly they could be moved into Category (a) without too much difficulty. Entering into bilateral agreements will lock in the rules for the benefit of Sri Lankan citizens.

Second, each Sri Lankan mission should be required to identify the countries where it would be feasible to negotiate a relaxation of visa rules affecting Sri Lankan passport holders. For example, given the Minister’s public statements about our excellent relations with Bangladesh and Pakistan, it should be easy to move these SAARC neighbors into the (a) category, wherein Sri Lankan citizens would be allowed free entry with minimal paperwork and vice versa.

We need not limit our efforts to the SAARC. Just a few years ago, Sri Lankans had visa-free entry to Hong Kong. Now, one needs a visa to transit the airport. Surely this is something that can be remedied given the claimed warmth of relations between the present government and the government of China. Iran, our great friend, doles out visas like something precious. Surely, the Ministry can get some of these unnecessary restrictions removed on the basis of our deep friendship.

Third, the Ministry can make a public commitment to performance. It can take Sri Lanka’s standing in the Henley Visa Restriction Index (https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship/visa-restrictions/) at the start of the year as the baseline and commit to an advance of x number of places by yearend. We are so far down that this will be easy. The last I looked we were 83rd out of 98.

But to be reasonable, it is unlikely that Sri Lankans can gain visa-free entry to the US, to the Schengen countries, and even to India, in the short term. Here, External Affairs can focus on reducing the hassles and assisting the local missions of these countries to streamline their processes. Again, measurable performance indicators can be defined.

And finally, this might give some kind of performance measure for the Ambassadors/High Commissioners. If no progress, recall?

Rohan Samarajiva heads LirneAsia, a regional think tank. He was also a former telecoms regulator in Sri Lanka. To read previous columns go to LBOs main navigation panel and click on the 'Choices' category.

READER COMMENT(S)

10. Sylvia Haik Jan 07

The Visa charge is small fry compared to the exploitation perpetrated on the hapless tourist. Some years ago, I visited Sigiriya and paid the Rs.40 entrance fee. But, the moment the chap at the gate discovered I was a tourist, demanded that I get the tourist ticket which was priced at Rs.2400.00. I refused and missed seeing Sigiriya.

9. Citizen of SL Nov 24

While agreeing with the writer and some of those that have commented about the new visa charge to enter Sri Lanka, I think it is good that it has been reduced, but it now needs to be relaxed further depending on whether we get aid from that country, bilateral relations etc.

As to working on behalf of us the citizens of Sri Lanka on the hassle we go through to get visas and also the grilling we go through at the relevant embassies and also at immigration in their respective countries. This is very serious and needs to be addressed. For economic development, apart from emails & phone calls, it is imperative that we visit our customers. But the hassle we go through makes one think twice before applying for any visa.

While the visa fee too is very high for entry to certain countries, the pages and pages one needs to fill and the documentation and supporting documents required are a huge problem. This is very relevant to the UK embassy which rejects your application for the stupidest reason and says you can appeal, but you need to wait for six months for the process, so one needs to waste visa fees again if they wish to travel sooner.

I guess we Sri Lankans are all branded “Guilty until proven Innocent”. It would be great it someone can highlight how much the British High Commission earns as visa fees. Which is money lost to Sri Lanka.

While commending you on a good article, I am sure the said ministry officials with brains like that of a goldfish would forget about it in two seconds. I am sure there are many learned people reading your article and while agreeing with you, move on to the next article, because our temperaments are such, that we do not want to get involved. It would be great if a committee could be formed which would take up these issues with the relevant Govt institutions and we the readers will surely sign the petition put forward.

8. Rohan Samarajiva Nov 24

The new rules are in the 2012 Budget Speech:
Hon. Speaker, Government has implemented online visa facilities, enabling travelers to obtain visas electronically from any part of the world.

It has been decided that the visa fee for this facility will be US$ 10 for travelers from SAARC countries and US$ 20 for others. However, a visa fee will not be levied on travelers who are travelling from countries that not charge a visa fee from Sri Lankans.

It has been also decided that there will be no visa fees charged from children in order to promote family travel. There will also be no visa fee charged from a tourist who spends less than 48 hours within the island.

A sum of Rs. 2,000 million is expected from the provision of this new service.

7. concerned Nov 24

Further to my comments in the past as regards the new? visa rules rules, sorry. Travel permits? sorry what are they?????? I would like to note that all outside aid. loans etc come from the countries that you are now going to charge these fees?

As a tax payer in one of these doner countries I find this action unforgiveable.

So perhaps we should stop all loans and aid ? What do you think???

6. animator Nov 23

I believe that Seychelles should be added to the list of countries with no visa restrictions for Sri Lankans.

5. Andy Mac Nov 23

Whilst it is understandable that countries should try and maximise their tourist income, an entry tax (visa) is the most dangerous particularly if set at punitive levels. Like many others I intend to travel again to your beautiful country for the forthcoming England test matches.

I almost reconsidered bringing my partner when I saw that the visa was to cost $50 each. Had I not already paid for my flight I may have deferred to Dubai (no visa) for the Pakistan tests. The reduction to $20, is that confirmed ? is a welcome retraction, but a tax is tax is a tax. I hope you have'nt shot yourselves in the foot. Regards

4. mikeygolf Nov 23

All countries especially Sri Lanka should do nothing to scare off tourist dollars or punds or baht or whatever - to charge a fee at immigration is backward and scary for many tourists - first impressions last and a lazy govn officialy collecting dubious amounts of money on arrival into a country gives the wrong impression - also open up all visas - visas on arrival work well - don't destroy the tourism industry any more...

3. expat Nov 23

Oh seriously Prof.! DO u expect any real worthwhile work from the public sector? The 7.0 Mn people who get paid from the remitances of our housemaids and laborers who toil hard for a pittance!

Everyone knows the ambassadorship is a chance for a favored man/woman to earn much more than he/she would in SL and also to enjoy better living conditions in a foreign country for around 3 years. It is a paid vaccasion if he/she is in the good books of the minister. Those who are favored more will get the western countries others will get eastern countries. expecting them to work for our benefit is like as the sinhala saying goes "ibbangen pihatu gannawa wage" (trying to get feathers from a tortoise).

Talk to any expat and simillar ideas will be expressed by 90%.

(the other 10% will have a favorable comment either by having an inside track or by knowing how to grease the palms!)

2. Wen Shengli Nov 23

Very good article and thank you for bringing this in to public attention, The ministry people do not know how badly people of other countries talk about Sri Lankan's when they want to travel, Specially so called friend China - In China Sri Lankan's are banned or restricted and not allowed VISA only few people get the visa approval after many attempts, what they categories Sri Lanka as a terrorist living country like Pakistan, I wonder what is the Ambassadors and Ministry is doing with out addressing these unprofessional barriers to Sri Lankan people.

Moreover Sri Lanka is not any type of wonder, our people need to understand each country has unique and natural features for the tourism activities.

Sri Lanka should not charge any amount and must give more benefits to attract tourists, in a Economy where people are struggling all over the world, our people should open their eyes and ears to understand the reality.

1. prasanna wimal Nov 23

I agree with your point that ambassador performance has to be meassured. drawing from my experience, i use to travel to Ukraine quite often 1 year ago and despite my frequent visits, i was harassed by immigration there. always upon seeing my PPT, the visa officer refers to his superior and this is quite embarrassing. then he writes someting on a seperate register and release. I wrote several mails to U.weeratunga, our emabssidor for Russia and foreign ministry but no reply todate.