Internal and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana yesterday instructed the Controller of Emigration and Immigration to take steps to deport all foreigners remaining in the country without visas and those overstaying their visas, under the prevailing security situation.

Minister Abeywardana has given these instructions following a discussion held with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Muslim Religious Affairs Minister M.H.A.Haleem on Wednesday.

It has been agreed during the discussion that a national policy has to be formulated on how to handle the issue of foreign Muslim preachers who visit Sri Lanka to conduct religious classes, give speeches and radicalise youth to perform acts of violence on other religions.

Officials have pointed out that there were about 400 foreigners in the country who have overstayed their visas.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will conduct raids to apprehend those living in Sri Lanka without a valid visa with the assistance of the police and the Sri Lanka Army and deport them accordingly after court procedure. (Sandun A Jayasekera)