Illegal migrant presence

Imperceptibly almost, an illegal migrant presence has been growing in this country. Immigration sources have been quoted by us as saying that this presence today stands at around 4,000. Last week alone 11 illegal migrants were arrested by the authorities.

The common ruse adopted by these foreigners is to overstay their visas. That is, to simply go missing after a short while.

This issue needs to be studied in some depth. Since most of these illegal migrants are from South and South-East Asian countries, it could be surmised that growing material hardships in these regions are beginning to take a heavy toll. The phenomenon also reflects on the better living conditions in some parts of Sri Lanka, particularly the Western Province.

However, the illegal foreigner presence needs to be taken note of for a few very good reasons. One is that these overstaying foreigners are getting into casual and other forms of employment which by right should go to locals on account of the fact that they are legal citizens of the land.

Given the weighty nature of the unemployment problem in Sri Lanka, the State would do well to ensure that all overstaying foreigners are deported to their countries.

The State owes it to the people of Sri Lanka to ensure that the unemployment among Sri Lankans is wiped out. It could do this to a degree by deporting illegal migrants who are working here under wraps as it were. Of course, foreigners enjoying a legitimate presence here should be left severely alone. It is only illegal immigrants who are our prime concern.

The illegal foreigner presence should also be taken cognizance of for the reason that a growing presence of such persons could have implications for our social well being. For instance, there could be an unhealthy competition for casual employment among locals and such persons, generating tensions and even conflicts. Such possibilities should be defused by deporting illegal migrants.

Besides, it is no secret that some of these overstaying foreigners are into illicit sex. For example, there are quite a few foreign prostitutes in seedy establishments in Colombo. Some of these foreigners are also known to be paedophiles. Thus these persons tend to compound the problem of growing sexual licentiousness in this country.

Thus it could be seen that it would be in the interests of this country and those of the migrants concerned, for the latter to be peacefully deported by the State.

It should be noted that we always welcome into our midst peoples from other lands and cultures. It is a pleasure to have them with us. However, their stay among us should be fully legal. This is our only requirement. Our concern is raised by only those foreigners who break the laws of this land.

Sri Lanka takes pride in the fact that it is a tolerant country. However, it is opposed to those who violate its laws and moral norms.

This applies to both, locals and foreigners. Wrongdoers, whoever they may be, should be dealt with according to the law.