Sri Lanka ends long-term visas of Russians amid protests over ‘whites only’ policy
Sri Lanka has asked thousands of Russians and Ukrainians living in the island nation on extended visas that have expired due to the Ukraine war to leave within two weeks, according to officials.
The decision comes amid a backlash on social media over Russian-run businesses operating illegally and operating with a “whites only” policy and not allowing locals.
Immigration officials have issued a notice to Sri Lanka’s Tourism Ministry that Russian and Ukrainian tourists should leave the island nation within two weeks starting February 23 as their visas have expired, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. Has occurred.
The Sri Lankan Tourism Ministry said they have received complaints about Russians and Ukrainians staying in Sri Lanka for long periods of time and setting up their own restaurants and nightclubs, employing foreigners and using payment methods for services bypassing local systems .
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told the Daily Mirror that the ministry had received complaints of some Russians running illegal businesses in the southern part of the country.
He said the raids were carried out after consultation with the immigration department, The Independent reports.
However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office issued a notice ordering an investigation into the decision to ask the Ukrainians and Russians to leave without cabinet approval.
According to the Presidential Media Division, the Sri Lankan government has not officially taken any decision to cancel the visa extensions given to Ukrainian and Russian tourists, PTI reported.
Sri Lanka, which is reeling from its worst financial crisis since 2022, has started offering 30-day visas on arrival for tourists and extensions of up to six months in a bid to revive the tourism sector, according to The Independent .
Thousands of Russian and Ukrainian tourists were allowed to stay in Sri Lanka in February 2022 following the war between the two European countries. According to official figures, about 300,000 Russians and 20,000 Ukrainians have come to the island nation since then.
However, official numbers of Russians and Ukrainians living in Sri Lanka on extended visas were not available. According to officials, the decision to allow them for longer stay was taken due to lack of flights.
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