Weak immigration regulations jeopardize Sri Lanka’s open visa policy for foreigners
Following the inadequate implementation of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, worries are surfacing regarding whether the government’s initiative to allow free visa entry for nationals from an additional 40 countries will promote more illegal foreign enterprises in the country.
Sri Lanka is currently facing challenges related to foreigners, particularly Israeli nationals, who arrive here on tourist visa category, but engage in business ventures including guest houses, clubs, surfing, pubs, and taxi services alongside their local partners.
The immigration officials are facing criticism for failing to control such actions.
For their failure to address illegal operations conducted by foreigners who are in the country posing as tourists, immigration officials should be held accountable, said an official from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ( SLTDA).
Meanwhile, the government has now decided to offer a free visa to people from 40 more countries, subject to clearance by the Attorney General. This step of the government has been criticized on a large scale within society.
Those who wish for the Palestinian-Israeli war to end soon and for the independence of Palestine, as well as those who are constantly engaged in various peace activities in various parts of Sri Lanka, are keeping a close eye on the activities of Israeli nationals coming to the country on tourist visas.
A few days ago, a foreign tourist exposed the heavy presence of Israeli nationals in Arugam Bay in the eastern province, who were operating clubs and restaurants there.
“The signs put up only in Hebrew, omitting the Sinhala and Tamil languages,” he said.
Also, many other social media users blamed the successive governments, including the NPP government, for turning a blind eye to the growing Israeli presence in the south and east and questioning why they were allowed to put up signboards in Hebrew and why their visa status was not being checked.
“I feel I am in Israel when I come to Arugam Bay. And they discourage the locals from visiting their clubs and restaurants. This is racism on our soil,” a social media user said.
Another person, who is a van owner engaging in tourist transportation (travel services), told Asia News that he mostly travels to Eastern Arugam Bay and can easily see that Israeli nationalists are very much freely engaging with their business.
The tourism authorities have raised this issue with the immigration authorities at meetings, but no stern results have yet been achieved.
Additionally, many other countries have also requested inclusion in the free visa category. Tourism remains one of the key sources of foreign exchange earnings at the moment.
Sri Lanka targets US$5 billion annually from tourism in the future.
But, another social activist told Asia News, “This government is, probably, in a very tight US/Indian grip , especially with regard to the Israelis. If action is taken against others, then the Israelis would also have to be included in any actions, since they are at the top of the list for illegal activities under a Tourist visa, hence, the government would continue maintaining a deaf, dumb and blind attitude towards this very seriously growing issue, which, may, result in disastrous consequences in the long run for our country,” he said.
