Oct 25, Colombo: British High Commission in Colombo announced that the visa section in the British High Commission will close on 31 October and all visa applications of Sri Lankans will be processed at UK Deputy High Commissioner's office in Chennai.

The High Commission further said that the majority of Sri Lankan visa applications had been processed in Chennai since June 2008 and the UK Border Agency would ensure a smooth transition of the remaining visa operation.

However, the High Commission says, Sri Lankans can hand over their application to its visa application center in Colombo and collect their documents from the same location, or request return by courier.

Sri Lankan applicants will have to pay a government levy of Rs. 1000 for the movement of their passport out of Sri Lanka and the fee will be payable at the visa application center before the visa application is submitted, the High Commission said.

It says, there won't be any change to the cost of the visa itself.

Sri Lankan UK visa applicants may make inquiries by phoning VFS Global via 331 for Dialog customers and 0094 773908011 for international callers.