Chaos ensued at Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following the handover of the country's on-arrival visa issuance to an Indian private company, sparking outrage among travelers and citizens alike.

The contentious move involved transferring the electronic travel authorization system to IVS-GBS and VFS Global, a private entity, from the Immigration and Emigration Department, the longstanding Government authority. 

Previously, visitors from neighboring South Asian countries under the SAARC umbrella were charged $20 for a visa. However, since the transition to the private provider, the fees have skyrocketed to $75, comprising a gazetted fee of $35 and an additional $18.5 levied by the private operator. This sudden shift triggered a wave of discontent, particularly among South Asian tourists who now face a significantly higher financial burden. 

Despite assurances from the Government that the arrangement was intended to boost tourism, the reality on the ground has left many disillusioned.

A video circulating on social media captured a Sri Lankan citizen expressing dismay over the foreign takeover, vehemently objecting to Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans. The individual emphasised his rights as a taxpayer and demanded accountability from the Government for outsourcing a critical service to an international entity.

Questions linger regarding the lack of transparency in approving this arrangement. The absence of Cabinet approval and the sudden handover to a foreign corporation have fueled concerns about the government's decision-making process.

In response to mounting criticism, Immigration Controller General I. S. H. J. Ilukpitiya clarified that only the website maintenance and call center operations were outsourced, purportedly to enhance tourist accessibility. However, the implementation of this outsourcing has fallen far short of expectations, prompting calls for a reassessment of this controversial partnership.