Reliable sources state that 30% of the revenue earned from Gold route and Silk route services are being given to the immigration welfare fund.
The fees for these services are exorbitant and not inline or competitive with other international “fast track” services. The reason is clear if our sources are correct, it is to do with this profit share.
This is an appalling situation,as that means these government servants are being paid to do their job for which they are already getting paid . The crucial question remains ,if this is the case is this payment legal ? What if other government servants also want to be paid profit shares to do their job ? Who has negotiated this ? Is the finance ministry aware of this? and does it not contravene the finance ministry circulars? If it is the case, is it not a misappropriation of public funds ? How much have they paid thus far ? Where else in the world are such payments made? These questions must be answered by someone.
The silk route and Gold Route are essential tools for sri lanka to attract high end tourism and business travelers. While this may not be very important for some officers it is definitely an important first impression for the country’s tourism and FDI sectors.
The immigration are the first impression of our country and they should be willing to even take customer service lessons if necessary . It is part of their job.
It was reported before that the CCTV cameras are not directly on the arrival and departure immigration desks, and the view is from a distance . Hopefully someone with authority is looking into these matters and verifying these facts to rectify these issues .
