Authorities concerned over 'on - arrival' visa scheme

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Colombo- Concern has been voiced by authorities on the growing number of illegal migrants in Sri Lanka, who exploit the 'On Arrival' visa facility to enter the country and not only find themselves employment but also engage in illegal activities.

So far this year, the investigations arm of the Immigration and Emigration Department has arrested 177 foreigners for violating Sri Lankan visa regulations.

Assistant Controller for Investigation William Devendrarajah told the Daily News yesterday that a majority of those arrested were from South Asia.

According to Devendrarajah a majority of those illegal immigrants take advantage of the 'On Arrival' tourist Visa system in Sri Lanka, with citizens of 79 countries including SAARC members being issued visas on arrival.

These 30 day Visas are only issued to bona-fide tourists with another two months extension in the offing in case of need.

Those who arrive in Sri Lanka for purposes other than leisure should obtain a visa prior to their arrival, Devendrarajah said. The most popular fields of employment for these immigrants has been hotels, jewellery shops, construction sites, IT sector, casinos, fishing\agricultural sectors and as street vendors. Some have been also found to be involved in illegal and anti-social activities. In a recent case some Chinese construction workers had been apprehended for overstaying and subsequent investigation had revealed that they were victims of an organized operation involving human trafficking.