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Money and sex for visas: Scandal rocks British High Commission
By Chris Kamalendran
The British High Commission in Colombo has been rocked by a money and sex-for-visa scandal amidst reports that Scotland Yard detectives are probing the alleged racket.

A British High Commission official whostands accused of charging Rs. 500.000 for some visas and demanded sexual favours from applicants is at the centre of the scandal, The Sunday Times learns.

High Commission spokesman Collin Hicks disclosed that the officer had been suspended but refused to give further details, except to say a probe was on. The Sunday Times learns the officer in question is a British national and was recruited locally by the High Commission in Colombo. He has worked in the High Commission for about ten years.

It is alleged that ineligible persons had obtained visas on the payment of at least half a million rupees. Complaints that female applicants have been asked sexual favours are also being probed. Some female applicants are alleged to have been invited to the officer's luxury house in Nawala.

This racket had gone on while many genuine applicants complained of rude treatment and other forms of harassment at the visa section. The money-and-sex-for-visa racket had been carried out allegedly by the High Commission officer in collusion with several unscrupulous travel agencies.

There were reports that a Scotland Yard team has arrived in Colombo to probe the matter. However, High Commission Officials declined to confirm or deny these reports.

Meanwhile, the British High Commission has tightened visa procedures. Spokesman Hicks said this was, however, not linked to the ongoing investigation but was connected to the current war in Iraq. However, The Sunday Times learns no such visa restrictions have been placed by the United States Embassy in Colombo.

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