Colombo Port City visa oversight questioned by finance committee

Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has raised concerns regarding the oversight of more than 14,300 visas issued in connection with the Colombo Port City project. During recent sessions, immigration officials disclosed the scale of visa activity linked to the special economic zone, prompting lawmakers to question the adequacy of existing monitoring mechanisms.

Committee members, including MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, questioned whether authorities are effectively tracking the movement and activities of visa holders to ensure compliance with mandatory documentation processes. Officials noted that monitoring is currently limited to periodic monthly reporting rather than real-time individual checks.

Lawmakers expressed concern that the volume of visas may be outpacing the government’s capacity for effective oversight, potentially creating regulatory gaps. Additionally, discussions addressed administrative issues within the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, such as the absence of a dedicated Legal Director post.