foreign affairs colombo office report on tamil smugglers

8/8/2019 Foreign affairs Colombo office report on Tamil smugglers

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for ColomboEnvironmental OverviewThis overview is a snapshot of the operating environment for this office as of January 2010. Itwas prepared as part of the fiscal year 2010-2011 planning exercise and is divided into thefollowin arts:

(see Section 4 of the 2010-11 IRIMP Guide for detailed information about the EnvironmentalOverview Template; subsections 3.4 and 3.5 summarize the changes (additions and deletions)made to the template.

TerritoryColombo is a full-service processing operation responsible for Sri Lanka (pop.22m.) andMaldives (pop. 387k.). The section has 4 Canada-Based Officers (CBOs), including theMigration Integrity Officer (MIO). There are two Locally Engaged Designated ImmigrationOficers (DIOs) and 21 Locally Engaged support staff (LES).Regional ContextThe 25 year civil war between the Government of Sri Lankan and the Liberation Tigers ofTamil Eelam (LTTE) has been well documented. The LTTE was formed in 1976 and sought,through armed conflict, a separate state for Sri Lanka's Tamil minority.

Both the Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE have been accused of using harshmeasures to win the war. In the case of the LTTE, documented evidence shows the group'swillingness to recruit child soldiers, use suicide bombings, conduct assassinations and carry outcivilian massacres. The activities of the organization resulted in their eventually beingprescribed as a terrorist organization by Canada, Australia, England, United States, India andthe European Union.In May 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka declared victory over the LTTE. Internal conflictsamongst the LTTE senior leadership and a strong commitment by the Sri Lankan Governmentto "win by any means" resulted in the final defeat of the LTTE as a fighting force within thecountry. The conclusion of the war saw the displacement of over 250,000 civilians whocurrently are being held in government run camps in the north and east of the country. APresidential election will be held early in 2009 with expected results generating some potentialfor a stable government for a few years. The cultural and social environment remainsdominated by deep ethnic divisions and uncertainty over any solutions that may follow the war.From a migration perspective, the continual flight of peoples trying to leave Sri Lanka by anymeans, the release of thousands of former combatants, and the historical behaviours ofmany,present challenging screening and control efforts for the Canadian Program.

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview fo r Colombo

Host Government(s)Government to government relationships have been tenuous in recent years with some signsof a more productive relationship now that the war has concluded. Even so, . - ..There also remain major opportunities for improved cooperation, mainly from adevelopment point of view but thwarted to some degree by official reactions that can be bestcharacterized as being

Earlier troublesome ideas of seeing major temporary worker arrangements being made inCanada have died out, at least for the present, and some efforts are being made at theinstitution level to enter into cooperative training agreements that may not actually involve themovement of people. We are not aware of any plans by the host government to makechanges to immigration or citizenship laws as almost all government efforts remain focused oninternal issues.It is close to impossible to have a conversation with a host government official (or many othersfor that matter) that does not quickly turn to concerns over our visa refusal rates. Rumoursthat IMM refuses everyone, or has bad decisions being made by local staff, or isdiscriminatory, or makes decisions based on a whim are difficult to counter as we expect tohave to maintain high temporary resident refusal rates.Personal SecurityForeigners never have been targeted in the host of serious attacks that have taken place in SriLanka over the years.

At the time of writing, it has been some 9 months since aserious terrorist attack. All in-country travel is supported by and travel protocolswith one of the remaining threats being the existence of extensive mine fields. On the groundsecurity (mainly checkpoints) continues which indeed helps in keeping street crime at a lowlevel.

The recent move to temporary swing space has improved some aspects of security asinterview booths have been established meaning, most of the time, the need to conductinterviews in offices has been eliminated.Other Information

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for Colombo

See Guide subsection 4.3.1

What are the migration push factors? Other characteristics of the movement?The primary push factor is likely economic. If one can find employment in Sri Lanka at all thesalary will be considerably lower than in Canada and not totally offset by differences in cost ofliving. The secondary push factor is the unsettled political climate. Although the war has endedthere is sufficient uneasiness here to make Canada a very attractive alternative. To note,Colombo remains with a relatively high degree of litigation (JR and appeal) actively pursued by ahandful of consultants in Canada.How is the Canadian visa program seen within the host society?Views of the Canadian Visa Program vary widely. Some see the program as fair while othersare convinced that decisions are arbitrary or discriminatory. We are often described in the localmedia as being overly strict in our visa issuance and each community see us as favouring theiropponents. It is also believe widely that we have many special programs and frequently issuefree visas as a result of some sort of special programs. No doubt, this view was born out of thehumanitarian efforts made during the time of the Tsunami and gained momentum as we continueto deal with an active DR2 caseload. The SL diaspora in Canada is largely of Tamil origin andthus a huge magnet to the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

What is the incidence/type of application fraud and impact on CIC programs?As in many environments in Asia, fraud is not uncommon, especially in the TR caseload.a.. _ .. . . . ..

Does local corruption affect CIC programs?

Are there threats to Canada's national security?An "interview waived" FC4 or DR2

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for ColomboSee Guide subsection 4.3.1

What type of client service initiatives are in place?In recent times, client service initiatives have focused on temporary resident applicants as anatural fallout of moving to a new location that is not client-friendly. The initiatives include areview of public hours, improvements to signage and, of course, establishment of a visaapplication centre. We have additionally (with the help of Ottawa) made improvements to ourlocal web-site and form letters. Finally we have reduced processing time in part by combining asmany processing steps as possible and utilizing telephones and E-mail as much as possible.We are presently exploring ways to improve service to Maldivians that would allow them havingto avoid travelling to Sri Lanka to make an application.What are the volume trends? Seasonal work fluctuations?Our total intake of Permanent resident applications is holding reasonably steady over the years.The apparent decline over the last couple of years may be artificial in that the large increase ofTsunami applications (in 2005) are now being finished off and we are returning to a more normalintake. Seasonally the picture is not surprising. We get a large increase in temporary residentactivity during the summer months which rapidly diminishes to a more quiet winter intake.Activities in satellite missions or itinerant services?While we serve the Maldives as well as Sri Lanka we have no satellite offices.

Economic Class - Volumes

Federal Business, Skilled WorkerQuebec Skilled WorkerQuebec BusinessPV2, LC2Total Economic Class

1187o4

651258

9355

5050

1040

991o1348

1052

1005105085

1150Economic Class - Processing TimesThe number of months required to process 80% of applications:

Economic Class OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, volumes of intake, approval/refusal rate,inventory, etc (Summarized or could be listed by category)

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See Guide subsection 4.3.1Judging by the recent intake of C-50 Skilled workers we may again expect a lower intakeof economic applications fo r 2010. Intake rate of skilled workers has been fall ing overmost recent years. Now with just 38 occupations eligible we would expect a reducedintake from this particular market l ike seen in 2009 (generally, a 30% decline). Efforts toimprove timeliness appear to be working as evidenced by improving processing times.The 31 month processing time is based on SW-1 applications processed in 2009.

Resulting in a stable overall economic approval rate of 67%. This resul t ref lects the factthat Sri Lanka is a good (but small) source of well-educated applicants with goodlanguage skil ls . Th is approval rate may lower in coming months as we continue ourefforts to eliminate older cases and reduce ou r inventories of some 3000 persons inEconomic Class. A more detailed look at the components of economic class show arising intake in PQ business cases and a minordecrease in provincial intake.

Family Class & H&C - Volumes

Spouses/Partners/Children & H&CParents/Grandparents & OthersTotal Family Class & H&C8525351387

950 946520 518

1470 146495010001950

Family Class - Processing TimesThe number of months required to process80% of applications:H&C - Processing TimesThe number of months required to process80% of applications:

200841

Family Class - OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, volumes of intake, approval/refusal rate,inventory, etc. (Summarized or could be listed by category)Family Class intake is diff icult to predict as a result of the unknown feed of FC4 cases fromCanada. FC1/3 intake appears to trending slightly downward and processing time appears toremain a challenge due to the inevitable complexities of determining background. Due to theeconomic and security push factors, families in the North have by preference arrangedmarriages for their children with disaspora Tamils in Europe, Australia or Canada. Themovement has been relatively trouble-free with high approval rates with exceptional troublesomecases that involve sponsorship following multiple marriages, overage dependants and the like.Again, most commonly these troublesome cases end up in appeal. Representation levels onthese cases remains high, mainly due to the processing time



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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for ColomboSee Guide subsection 4.3.1

FC4 processing continues one of our most difficult categories to progress for a number ofreasons, most often the background of adult dependants at just the right age to warrant an indepth review. As in other categories, we are taking steps to minimize our older cases and findways and means to improve processing time. However, seeing this target increased by some100% in the new year, progress towards this outcome may turn out to be a challenge.

H&C - OverviewIt comes as little surprise that Colombo carries a relatively high proportion of H &C cases. Atany point in time, the figures that are lumped together to show FC Priority trends contain some16% H &C applications. Like FC4, and for the same reasons, the cases are difficult to progressmainly on issues of background coupled with severe efforts to chase for information. In 2009we continue to try to close cases generated as a result of the special tsunami measures put inplace in January 2005. The introduction of further (war effected) special measures introduced in2009 added to the local community conclusion that Canada was prepared to issue free visas fora program that looks very much like an in-country humanitarian relief class. Key to our successwill be any guidance that allows us to deal effectively with H &C applications made directly toColombo where the persons would never be found to be eligible in other classes. The currentrelease of some 250,000 displaced persons and return of the Tamil refugees from Indiagenerates a huge potential for applications.

Refugees/Protected Persons - Volumes

Federal Gov't Assisted Refugees 25 20Quebec Gov't Assisted Refu ees 0 0Dependants of Refu ees 267 275Privatel Sponsored Refu ees 0 0Total Refugees 292 295Refugees/Protected Persons - VolumesThe number of months required to process 80% of applications:

20267287

3027520325

Refugees/Protected Persons - OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, volumes of intake, approval/refusal rate,inventory, etc. (Summarized or could be listed by category)The vast bulk of refugee efforts in Sri Lanka are devoted to an increasing application intake ofdependants of refugees class. These DR2 applications come again with a difficult background tosort out which is most often made muddy by the story that surrounds the asylum claim of the



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See Guide subsection 4.3.1family in Canada. If asylum approval rates by the IRB remain high, there is good reason for ourintake to keep climbing. Once all is sorted out, however, approval rates hover at a high 94%.We have a good relationship with the local UNHCR who are prone to send us cases withCanadian connections of reasonable quality. The movement is small and, at this point in time,almost exclusively from Pakistan. We have agreed to consider some Burmese Refugees butthere are no referrals to-date. This calls into the question the proposed target of 40 GAR visasas we simply do not have the inventory. As well, we have a handful of privately sponsoredrefugees supported by one particular church in Canada.Special InitiativesIn terms of general PR processing, and unless any further special Sri Lankan measures areintroduced, our primary focus for 2010/11 will be on improvements to processing times by theconcluding old and troublesome cases, many of which were generated by both tsunami specialmeasures and war effected special measures. In the short term, this will mean that processingtimes actually grow as these inventories are tackled and minimized. We would expect to seegeneral improvement to processing times by the late fall of 2010 if temporary duty support isprovided to be directed towards the increased visa targets.Additionally, plans are now being firmed up that will see the FC Delhi Unit Manager provide anon-site review of our processing practices with a view of improving FC processing times bytaking advantage of an area-wide approach to sharing best practices. Many (not all) of theapproaches that have seen success in Delhi can be applied to FC processing in Sri Lanka.

Other Information

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for Colombo@ (I See Guide subsection 4.3.2

Temporary Resident Program - OverviewWhat are the push factors? Other characteristics of the movement?The push factors continue to be high rate of unemployment, low salary and the economicbenefit of living in Canada. Of concern is continuing security efforts by the military andpolice which leave citizens uncertain as to their future. The general ized poverty andcomparatively low wages are coupled with an established tradition of working overseas inorder to help the family at home. In fact, the overseas remittances account fo r asubstantial portion of the Sri Lankan income and thus local government efforts toimprove (diversify) this sector of the economy take form from time to time. Over the year,there have been serious attempts made to establish some sort of labour provision toCanada. To date, they have no t succeeded as the Canadian institutions become educatedconcerning the potential risks or provinces develop cold feet.How is the Canadian visa program seen within the host society?The relationship remains strained due to two factors: a sustained high refusal rate andconcerns within the host society that our visa program contributes to opportunities todisrupt the local government.

What is the incidence/type of application fraud and impact on CIC programs?Application fraud includes A large portionof TR applicants are parents destined to family events in Canada. We try to accommodate asmany of these requests as possible (some on permit when warranted) but we cope with a largegeneration of inland refugee claims, even where hosts could easily sponsor their parents.

Anewinitiative has been to highlight the prevalence of fraud on our local website in hopes that potentialapplicants realize that there are benefits to approaching us in good faith.Are there threats to Canada's national security?

What type of client service initiatives are in place?Following just too much effort we final ly achieved with the opening of a Visa ApplicationCenter in Colombo. As 2010 progresses, we will be devoting time to tuning this service

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for Colombo@ (I

and learning as we go.See Guide subsection 4.3.2

What are the volume trends? Seasonal work fluctuations?Volumes have decreased in all Temporary Resident business lines with the exception ofpermanent resident travel documents. The reasons for the overall decrease seem to be boththe economic situation in Canada coupled with our own high refusal rates and propensity toreceive low quality applications, often repeats following multiple refusals.Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Applications Processed - Volumes (persons)

2914 3095 3214Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Applications - Processing Times

Temporary Resident (visitors) - OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, peak season times and volumes of intake,approval/refusal rate, etcThe movement continues to be largely parents to see children who are not well settledand used irregular migration to access Canada. A new movement this year has been_ Intake is slightly lower over theyears and refusal rates higher. In addition most of our applicants apply more than oncethereby pushing the refusal rate higher yet. We expend great efforts to keep theprocessing time (despite screening needs) to a reasonable matter of days and so far havemanaged to be successful on that point.Study Permit (SP) - Volumes (persons)

Study Permit (SP) - Processing Times

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92 - 98 DaysStudy Permit - OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, peak season times and volumes of intake,approval/refusal rate, etcApplication intake remains steady, but low as Sri Lanka (compared to many parts of Asia) is notcreating any substantial middle class. Higher quality students as a matter of tradition seek theireducation in the U.K. and the U.S. and, to some extent, Australia. Canadian educationalmarketing in Sri Lanka has been lame and often directed to programs with lower entrancerequirements and short duration. Recruitment usually takes the form of promises toemployment that have little factual basis. Thus, any recruitment that does take place has atendency of contributing to the low quality aspect. Discussions with Canadian Institutionspassing through have shown no positive effect probably as a result that the potential of themarket does not presently generate sufficient interest. Scholarship-supported and graduatestudents are rare but refreshing approvals. We remain uncertain as to why we are seeing slowprocessing times as our review of real inventories (there is no inventory) is contrary. The normalscreening and medical requirements does not explain the outcome so our intention is to examinethis is greater detail to get to a point where the presented numbers are more in-line with ourphysical reviews. But we do note that efforts more recent have pretty-well cut the 2008processing times in half.Temporary Work Permit (WP) - Volumes (persons)

Temporary Work Permit - Processing Times

Temporary Work Permit - OverviewDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, peak season times and volumes of intake,approval/refusal rate, etcThe temporary work permit application intake shows a drastic reduction most probably due to theworld-wide economic downturn. A similar outcome is seen with all of the foreign work done bySri Lankans as evidenced by local authority concerns with fallen foreign remittances. This

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview for Colombo@ $ See Guide subsection 4.3.2

leaves a small number of lower quality applications that in turn generate increasing refusal rates.Processing times have improved since 2008 and steps are in place to make furtherimprovements on this aspect. We believe that (now that an older inventory has been eliminated)further improves are in the offing.

Live-in CaregiverDescribe characteristics specific to the movement, volumes of intake, output, approval/refusalrate, etcThe LCP movement is small and insignificant. The refusal rate is high with the majority ofapplicants destined to close family members. Employers have very limited funds often with oneparent at home.

Other Information

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview fo r ColomboT" _ .... L - I.L v. .. . ' , . . UYI allli:llMedical ServicesN/A Medical screening services are provided out of Singapore.

Migration ControlDescribe interdiction, anti-fraud activities.Airport Interdiction Activities :- The Sri Lankan lOP camps are currently releasing100,000 to 150,000 nationals which represent a significant challenge for Canada. Theeconomic and social issues caused by the civil war coupled with a relatively wealthyinternational Tamil Oiaspora results in a large push/pull factor for human smuggling andtrafficking. Some have called this a perfect storm as overseas friends, family andrelatives appear willing to fund irregular migration operations. As Canada has over250,000 former Sri Lankan Nationals living in the country, Canada will be a targetdestination.With the conclusion of civil war hostilities, international airline transportation companiesare now reviewing the viability of increasing the number of direct flights to the countryfrom Australian, European and UK destinations.. . . . , . CanadaBorder Services Agency (CBSA) has directed the MIO to have a strong presence at the

in order to proactively indentify and where possibleinterdict irregular migrants.Marine Arrivals: - The recent arrival in Canada of the MV Ocean Lady carrying 76 SriLankan Nationals has resulted in extensive tasking of the Colombo Migration IntegrityUnit (MIU). The file is expected to continue to be time and resource expensive.

There remainssignificant concern that the successful arrival of this group will encourage other vesselsto be organized. In the 2009 calendar year the Australians are expected to receive over90 vessels carrying over 2,000 irregular migrants, and as the Australian removalprogram of these migrants increases, Canada may present an attractive option, despitehigher smuggling costs and risk.Training of Airline and Local Enforcement Agencies: - Training remains a keycomponent of the overall CBSA/MIO interdiction strategy. Timely training of enforcementpartners, airline staff and other stakeholders is an effective way to increase the numberof irregular migrant referrals. This is also an effective means of liaison, opening lines ofcommunication and information gathering. Within Sri Lanka this training can be easilyorganized with limited resource requirements.

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The Maldives Islands represent a challenge for the MIU as the cost of accommodation,and local transportation is high. This said, the Maldives Immigration Service is highlyprofessional and represents a good investment of resources. The Maldives IslandsImmigration Management has adopted a wide variety of best practices and continuallyseeks to improve the security of their passport issuance protocols and border screening.

It is the objective of the Colombo MIU to offer training, equipment and operationalsupport to the Maldives Immigration Service, and in turn encourage their participationand sharing of implemented border control best practices to Bali Process and ASEANpartners. The "Maldives Experience" may be received by SE Asian and Asian Subcontinent countries more favorably than from Western Agencies.Capacity Building o f Local Enforcement Agencies: -Sri Lanka - The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) operatesthe Integrated Enquiry Management System (lEMS) whose creation was initially fundedby the EU and Australia, and most recently supported through funding by the UnitedKingdom. Currently 30 foreign missions based in Sri Lanka have access to this system,with the UK, Australia, United States, Germany and Canada being the most frequentusers. The system has also become a useful tool to other Sri Lankan GovernmentAgencies. Between January and July of this year over 1,200 entry/exit record requestshave been made by Sri Lanka based missions. The 10M advised recently that, since itsinception, the IEMS has handled more than 4500 enquires from diplomatic missions,including 521 from the Canadian High Commission.

The need for this information directly impacts on Canada's counter terrorism andborder integrity objectives.

Maldives:- Recent success's for the Service has been a locally designedsecure National ePassport and passport issuance program, and a new secure visacounterfoil. '


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T" _ .... L.L v . .. : : . uy. C::U 1Ii:ll IMaldives:- Sponsor the placement of a 2 junior Maldives Immigration Officer to work inSri Lanka for a period of 1 week. Provide training in visa issuance, document securityand airport interdiction. Projected costs for this would be $2,000 Cdn Dollars X 2 =$4,000.00 total.Liaison with Other Embassies: - The Colombo MIO program already enjoys a positiveworking relationship with other foreign missions based in Sri Lanka. A Canadian MIOhas been based in Colombo for well over 10 years and a good embassy network exists.The MIOs attend monthly anti-fraud group meetings, as well as regularly scheduledweekly informational meetings with specific partners. Missions also share generalinformation about application fraud trends, as organized fraud groups use similarmethods at many missions.Liaison with Local Enforcement Agencies: - There are a wide variety of EnforcementLiaison points within Sri Lanka. The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) based atColombo International Airport and the CID Human Trafficking Section is the keyinterlocutors for the Colombo MIU.A current challenge is that Australia has invested considerable time and resources intoSri Lanka. This investment is in part to combat growing marine arrivals from the country.Australia has named a "Sri Lanka Special Envoy" to engage the country at its mostsenior government levels, and increased Australian mission based police, immigrationand customs presence. Australia has pre-empted a proposed Canadian capacitybuilding training program, and is building new facilities at Colombo International Airportfor officers of the Criminal Investigations Division. They current fund the Sri LankanPolice Document Examination Laboratory which provides analysis and expert testimonyregarding suspect documents.The key for Canada is to secure "face time" with Sri Lankan Police and ImmigrationOfficials. The best opportunity for this has been through Canadian hosted events, jointlyattended meetings and from inclusion in programs organized by the Australians. As theGoC seeks to engage the GoSL on marine arrivals and removals the need to takeadvantage of any opportunity to meet with Sri Lankan counterparts will increase.Levell/Fraud - The MIO will continue to provide assistance to the CHC ColomboImmigration program on a case by case basis. The MIO assists in the verification ofinformation provided by clients, reviews and verifies submitted documentation. The MIOworks with IPM to identify fraud trends.OtherDescribe other activities that occur within your office (occasional use of space by QuebecImmigration, CSIS, RCMP)Quebec Immigration, CSIS, and the RCMP conduct regular work visits to Sri Lanka and arenormally accommodated in the Immigration Program. Usually, the logistics of providing


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T" _ .... L - I.L v . .. .',.. UYI allli:llinterview booths can be overcome. However, providing interpretation services for CSIS(especially for lengthy TO) is a continuing challenge.

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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview fo r ColomboV. Internal Environment1. Area TravelBecause of the security situation, area travel (with the exception of the Maldives) has been nonexistent. With the lifting of heavy security veils in recent months, it is anticipated thatThat said, any travel will need tobe coordinated well with other mission travel to solve the logistical challenges.

2. Office Technology (See Guide subsection 4.3.3)In the tables below, enter information about your laptops, Blackberries and, if applicable, CAIPSSystem Printer:LAPTOPS I With WithMake Model # Asset Tag # Serial # Portable SRA? *Used for?CAIPS? Yor

Yor N Na. Toshiba Tecra 8000 S10445906 59012843 N N Standalonepurposes. (oldCBSA laptop)b. HP Compaq 45807509 CNU9052FG N N CBSA travel8510p Pc.d.*Used for? Some examples - area travel; remote location (telework); SIGNET workstation; standaloneworkstationOf the laptops listed above, which ones comply with the specifications recommended by DFAIT? (see linkhttp://intranet.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/department/sxd/OurServices/Remoteaccess/SRASIGNET3-en.asp)

BLACKBERRIESMake

a. Vodaphoneb.c.d.

Model #BB8320

Blackberry user's workSerial # unit?(IMM, HMB or MIO)IMEI3582810151313 MIO49

CAIPS SYSTEM PRINTERDoes your office have a CAIPSSystem Printer? Y or NY

Does it print Night joblogs? Yor N

YDoes it print Night job reports?YorN

Y

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V. Internal Environment3. Temporary Duty and Emergency LES Resources Used (See Guide subsection 4.3.4)Fiscal Year2009-1001 (Apr-June)02 (Jul-Sept)03 (Oct-Dec)04 (Jan-Mar)Forecast2009-2010 TOTAL

Weeks of TOUsed66

12

IRHQ FundingSourceC-50Regular

Amount Spent fo r E-LES2009-10

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4. Demands of Other Mission Programs (See Guide subsection 4.3.5)Colombo is a small mission of which IMM forms the bulk of human resources. Support to themission on an on-going basis most often involves the lending of LE resources due to absence of,for example, the receptionist or the local IT support. This assistance amounts to 5-10 per daysper month. When the HOM of mission is absent for an extended period, the IPM is called upon.This normally is not overly taxing with the exception of a much-delayed posting of a new HOMthis past fall. Ministerial visits are rare and most often in support of CIDA. Again, ourcontributions to such visits are not demanding. Our mission colleagues are inundated withrequests for visa favours and the like, making for a vibrant need to communicate well amongstprograms and to delicately manage high profile cases that are headed to serious admissibilityissues.

5. Workforce Management Issues (See Guide subsection 4.3.6)Human Resources:What challenges are you facing? We face no major challenges with the exception of the (muchcommunicated) issue of having a CBO position removed from Colombo where the case loaddemands a high degree of Canadian admissibility efforts. This will continue as a challenge,- and PR targets and the need toincrease final decisions have been planned.Specific TD support needs to be directed to allow present CBOs sufficient processing effort timeto address the B decisionsThis means that TD Officers need to be fully capable of makingselection decisions upon arrival in Colombo. Due to the target demands, any TD wouldprobably be assigned to FC4 decision-making.What is the nature of seasonal peak workload and overtime required? IMM in Colombo is notsubject to demanding peak workloads due to our concentration on permanent residentprocessing.

Training Needs:Describe the group training needs of your staff and whether it is for all staff or unit specific.(example: Values &Ethics, C-50) Staff in Colombo are well-experienced thus training needsusually result from changes in local approaches. It is always useful to present legislative or



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2010-2011 IRIMP Submission - Environmental Overview fo r ColomboV. Internal Environment Ioperational policy updates as all officers are required to action a wide variety of decisions in allprogram areas.

Organizational Challenges:Describe any organizational challengesThe most pressing organizational challenges are the types of challenges that require a localsolution, some of which are being presently progressed.6. Records Management (See Guide subsection 4.3.7)Where do you store your closed files?We have 3 locations for the storage of closed files. One is the traditional secure file room withrolling files bays, the other two are unused small offices in the IMM Section where we haveinstalled shelving.What format do you use to store your closed files? (Examples: at the mission using microfilmand original documents; or original documents stored off-site in an adjacent building; or originaldocuments off-site with a private contractor.)The files are stored on-site, as paper files.What method of file destruction do you use?Files due for destruction are amassed. When a shipment is ready, we contract a transporter totransport the material to a commercial shredder under the watch of a Canadian employee.Are there any aspects of file storage that are unique to your mission? No.Note: See subsections 5.2 and 6.2 of the guide for information about the template to use for requestingfunds for file destruction, fi le (IMM8) repatriation or special records management supplies/activities.7. Office Accommodation - DFAIT Projects (See Guide subsection 4.3.8)Colombo abandoned their former chancery and moved to temporary accommodation inSeptember, 2009. The former chancery is due for destruction and reconstruction with somesaying in 2011. There is no certainty on the duration of occupying temporary accommodation.The present chancery is ill-suited to a processing environment and suffers from an inadequatepublic interface. These new premises do, however, contain sufficient space for the IMMProgram and are devoid of the serious mould problems of the old chancery.Description of DFAIT-Ied property project planned or underway with an impact on CIC space: Atsome point in time, we will be asked to turn our attention the needs in a new chancery.


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V. Internal Environment I8. Office Accommodation - Interview Booths (See Guide subsection 4.3.8)Please validate any pre-populated information.Interview Booth Type # of IMM only or

Booths shared?Type A: 1 interviewer, 2 clientsType B: 2 interviewers (e.g. officer/interpreter), 2 clients 2 IMM onlyType C: 2 interviewers, 4 clients 1 IMM onlyTOTAL of all types 3Do you have other booths that are not Type A, B, C? If yes, please describe.Part time access to the consular booth.Do you have too many or not enough booths for your operation? If yes, please explain.Normally, the three we have are sufficient. However, when trying to accommodate temporaryduty officers or itinerant services from New Delhi, scheduling challenges arise.Do the booths require repair? No.How many booths are equipped with a computer? All

9. Office Accommodation - Reception and Cost Recovery(See Guide subsection 4.3.8) Please validate any pre-populated information.Reception and Cost Recovery Booths, # of booths IMM only orWindows orWickets or windows shared?Reception BoothReception Stand-up Window or WicketCost Recovery BoothCost Recovery Stand-up Window or WicketCombined Reception and Cost Recovery Booth 1 IMMTOTAL of all types 1

Is your reception or cost recovery different from the types described in the table above? Is yes,please describe. Reception and cost recovery take place in the same large booth thatcomfortably sits two employees. Cost recovery functions have significantly reduced with theopening of a VAC.Is the reception and/or cost recovery area adequate too small or large for your operation? If yes,please explain. Just right.Are repairs required? No

How many computers are in the reception and cost recovery areas? Two


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V. Internal Environment I

Other information?

10. Office Accommodation - GlientWaiting Area (See Guide subsection 4.3.8)Please validate any pre-populated information.Questions AnswerIs the client waiting area for IMM onlyimmigration only or shared?How many cl ients can be 20 seated, 40 standing.accommodated (seated? Standing?)Optional: What is the approximatesize of the waiting room?Other information? The client waiting area is troublesome on two points. Firstly, that it isoutdoors, with no air con. Secondly in that it can not be directly accessed without having to gooutside the chancery and enter the waiting room via the public entrance. This is especiallyclumsy and with privacy concerns when clients bring in documents for our consideration that arenot able to be passed via the security windows in reception/booths.

11. Request for GIG-Initiated Property Project(s) (See Guide subsection 4.3.8)Project 1:Description: What work needs to be done? In what area of the office? The premises are supposed tobe temporary thus we are not suggesting proceeding with any upgrades or alterations.

12. Request for Shelving (See Guide subsection 4.3.8)Type ofShelving Required: None required.


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V. Internal Environment I13. DFAIT Administrative ServicesDescribe the relationship with DFAIT administration, level of support received, timeliness ofservice provided, etc.The mission as a whole suffers from a disproportionately small administrative support group andthe inevitable squeeze on available monies. Such becomes reflected in a myriad of areas suchas an inadequate local server, or an inadequate office front-end, or undue effort following upservice requests. Cooperation levels remain high, as does the potential for finding localsolutions when possible.14. Other Information


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VI. IMission Specific InformationDescribe unique or exceptional features about your office, not described elsewhere.

Organizational ChartReminder: send an updated version of your organizational chart as part of this submission.

ChecklistThis IRIMP submission consists of the following seven documents:X Environmental OverviewX Organizational ChartX Non-Salary RequestsX Non-Salary JustificationX Overtime Requests & JustificationX IT Equipment Requests & Justification

I have discussed this IRIMP with the Area Coordinator, David Manicom, on December29 th .

Submitted by:

Date submitted:

Brian Hudson

January 13, 2010

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Documents