For religious activities:

'Foreign clerics should get prior approval'

Chaminda PERERA

The Immigration and Emigration Department has informed 161 foreign clerics that they should get prior approval from the Immigration and Emigration Department and the Religious Affairs Ministry if they are to engage in religious activities in Sri Lanka. They cannot engage in religious activities while on a tourist visa under the immigration and emigration law of the country.

The Department asked these clerics who are on tourist visas to leave the country as tourist visas are given to those who are holidaying or visiting friends or relatives in Sri Lanka.

Controller of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera and officials of the Religious Affairs Ministry and other relevant agencies met these clerics and made them aware of the country's immigration and emigration law.

According to Controller Chulananda Perera, these foreign clerics admitted that they have violated the country's immigration and emigration law.

He said that the foreign clerics should specify the purpose of their visit, places they stay, in their activities during their stay in Sri Lanka, if they seek entry to the country for purposes other than holidaying.

"They should get the approval from the Immigration and Emigration Department and the Religious Affairs Ministry, if they wish to engage in religious activities in Sri Lanka", he said.