The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Ashok K. Kantha inaugurated the India Visa Application Centre (IVAC) of the High Commission of India, Sri Lanka in Kandy today. The Chief Guest on this occasion was H.E. Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Governor of Central Province and the Guest of Honour was the Hon. Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister of Central Province.

The Kandy IVAC will be operated by the VFS Global, who have been successfully running the India Visa Application Centre in Colombo since February 11, 2008 and at Jaffna from May 5, 2010. The IVAC at Kandy will be operational from June 1, 2010.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner of India said that this initiative would benefit the people of Kandy and other areas of Central, Uva and Sabaragamuva provinces, apart from Kurunegala district of North Western Province. He added that this initiative on the part of the High Commission of India would offer several facilities for visa seekers.

The High Commissioner hoped that the opening of the India Visa Application Centre, Kandy would make it more convenient for the people of the region to obtain visa for travelling to India. This would further promote the friendly ties between Sri Lanka and India. The constant endeavour of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has been to enhance the services and facilities for visa applicants. The IVAC Kandy will be the third such centre established in Sri Lanka, the first two being Colombo and Jaffna.

The India Visa Application Centre is well located at No. 701/A, Peradeniya Road, Kandy. The IVAC will function from 0800 hours to 1700 hours from Monday to Friday. Visa applicants can log on to www.vfs-in-lk.com for guidance about visa instructions. They can send e-mails to info.inlk[at]vfshelpline.com for visa queries. The IVAC helpline number is 011 4505588. The facilities to the visa applicants include longer operational hours; dedicated Call Centre Unit and e-mail support; information desk at the IVAC; flexibility of submission and collection timings and convenient procedure for submitting visa applications. The processing time for each visa application will normally take one working day. The decision to grant or refuse visa will be the sole prerogative of the Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy.

High Commisioner Shri Ashok K. Kantha lighting traditional oil lamp

High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Ashok.K. Kantha speaking at the inauguration

High Commissioner, Hon. Governor and Hon. Chief Minister at the inauguration

Hon. Governor, Hon. Chief Minister and High Commissioner

Hon. Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Governor of Central Province speaking at the inauguration