Visa overstayers face tough action
Rasika Somarathna
In a major crackdown, sleuths of the Immigration and Emigration
Department arrested over 100 foreigners within the last 45 days, who
have violated Sri Lankan visa regulations.
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At the arrivals lounge |
This includes 80 textile vendors arrested in Kalmunai and
Akkaraipattu last month, who were doing illegal business after entering
the country on visit visa’s.
The latest detections have come from Colombo-suburbs where two
Indians and a Pakistani were arrested for working at two restaurants
without proper documents.
A vast majority of these illegal Immigrants have been identified as
citizens of South Asian and East Asian countries.
According to Immigration and Emigration Department, Investigations
Unit Head, Assistant Controller W. Devendraraja they have taken into
custody 272 visa violators so far this year. Out of this 190 have been
removed after inquiries.
Engaging in business while on tourist visa is not permitted under the
Sri Lankan Immigration and Emigration Laws.
Sri Lanka offers on-arrival visit visa’s to citizens of 79 countries
at the port of entry.
The latest destination for some of these unauthorized foreign traders
has become the Eastern province.
Most engage in door to door textile business while certain others
sell their technical expertise and other know how pertaining to certain
agricultural equipment which are manufactured in their countries.
However, some others have found employment in hotels and restaurants.
Other popular avenues have been jewellery shops, construction sites,
casino’s, fishing\agricultural sectors.
Some are believed to be involved in more serious acts such as drug
trafficking, human smuggling and prostitution.
According to Devendraraja those arrested would be blacklisted barring
their re-entry to the country. The Department has also taken steps to
develop a data base system and to install a surveillance system, to have
as much details as possible on these illegal immigrants. |
