Sri Lanka terminates long-stay visas for Russians and Ukrainians amid criticism of a whites only policy

"The Daily Mirror was notified by Sri Lanka's Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando of complaints received regarding several Russians running unlicensed businesses in the country's south. He mentioned that after speaking with the immigration agency, raids were carried out. According to officials, hundreds of Russians and Ukrainians who were in Sri Lanka owing to the turmoil in Ukraine and had extended visas that had expired were told to leave the country within two weeks. The action was taken in response to social media criticism against Russian-run companies that were involved in illegal activity and were imposing a ""whites only"" policy that prevented locals from entering. According to officials cited by news agency PTI, immigration authorities have notified Sri Lanka's Tourism Ministry that visitors from Russia and Ukraine must depart the country within two weeks beginning on February 23 due to the expiration of their visas. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism disclosed that it had been notified of complaints regarding Russians and Ukrainians staying longer in Sri Lanka and setting up bars and eateries. They are accused of using non-local payment methods and hiring foreign workers in order to get around domestic systems. The Daily Mirror was notified by Sri Lanka's Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando of complaints received regarding several Russians running unlicensed businesses in the country's south.

He mentioned that, according to an international magazine, raids were carried out after discussions with the immigration department. But a notice from the office of President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered an inquiry into the decision to order the expulsion of Russians and Ukrainians without Cabinet approval. The President's Media division stated that PTI revealed that the government of Sri Lanka has not formally decided to withdraw the visa extensions given to visitors from Russia and Ukraine. Sri Lanka, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis since 2022, introduced visa-on-arrival for 30 days and permitted extensions of up to six months in an effort to boost the tourism industry, according to The Independent. Following the confrontation between the two European countries in February 2022, many Russian and Ukrainian travelers were allowed to stay in Sri Lanka. Since then, over 300,000 Russians and 20,000 Ukrainians have visited the island, according to official figures. But the exact number of Russians and Ukrainians staying in Sri Lanka on long-term visas is still unknown. "