Over 120 overstayers nabbed

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Immigration and Emigration Department Investigation Unit in continued islandwide raids have apprehended over 120 foreigners who had overstayed their visa in 2007 with emphasis on building an effective mechanism to counter the threat posed by these illegal immigrants.

According to Assistant Controller for Investigation Parakrama Fernando, a majority of these immigrants take advantage of the on arrival tourist visa system in Sri Lanka. Eighty countries including SAARC members are issued visa on arrival.

The majority of these illegal immigrants are from South Asian and East Asian countries.

Most immigrants work in hotels, jewellery shops, construction sites, IT sector, massage therapy centres, casinos, fishing\agricultural sectors and street stalls.

Some are involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, prostitution and other illegal activities. The Unit recently arrested some South Asians from a paddy field in the Eastern Province working as labourers, sources said.

The problem has become a menace not only because these immigrants are involved in illegal activities but also because they deprive Sri Lankans of jobs, Immigration sources said.

According to Fernando, 24 of the arrested are still held at the Mirihana detention centre pending further investigations. Steps are to be taken to deport them and blacklist them preventing them from entering the country again.

“It is very difficult to impose restrictions as it might effect tourism. So we have taken steps to expand the Unit with the intention of carrying out periodical checks,” Fernando said.

The Department has also taken steps to develop the Data base system and install a surveillance system to have details on these illegal immigrants. Immigration Controller P.B. Abeykoon has proposed tough action for offenders and change laws with an effective mechanism to prevent such abuse of visas, Fernando said emphasising the need for a vibrant role by the media in educating the public.

The Assistant Controller also paid tribute to the public for their assistance while seeking their continued support to nab offenders.

According to Fernando, in 2006, the Unit arrested more than 400 foreigners who had overstayed their visas.

This year too the trend has continued with a number of arrests and raids are to be intensified which would act as a deterrent to offenders, Fernando said.

The latest arrests were made on the instructions of Chief Controller for Immigration P.B. Abeykoon and on the direction of Assistant Controller Parakrama Fernando.