Over 20 Chinese nationals detained

4 December 2012 09:39 am Views - 4398

All Chinese nationals detained in Sri Lanka have been freed following the release of two Chinese women on Tuesday, said sources close to the case, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two Chinese women with invalid visas were released from the Kollupitiya police station in Colombo after fines were paid, said a Chinese person, who helped pay the fines for the two Chinese women.

The person, who only gave his name as Su, said the two along with about 20 other Chinese nationals were detained by police on Monday night, and most of them were released on Monday night and early Tuesday morning after their passports and valid visas were presented to the police.

Local police said they set up several checkpoints on Monday night in Colombo targeting foreign nationals who stay in Sri Lanka without valid visas and during the operation several foreigners other than Chinese nationals were arrested.

The Chinese embassy said it attached great importance to the event and sent the consular staff to the police station to help free the Chinese nationals once they got the news.

The embassy said it referred the case to Sri Lanka's police headquarters and External Affairs Ministry, demanding the Sri Lankan side protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, meanwhile reminding Chinese citizens to comply with local regulations and carry valid identity documents when traveling abroad, the Xinhua news agency added.

Meanhwile, a senior Police official told Daily Mirror that on Monday night, seven Chinese nationals were arrested in Kollupitiya area when they failed to produce their passports. However, they were released when they managed to produce them before the police.

“All of them do not sell whatever they bring into the country by sitting along the pavement. We found certain tourists selling them inside their apartments or houses that the live on rent,” he noted.

Police Headquarters further stated that they have identified Chilaw, Negombo, Fort, Tangalle, Hambanthota and Kandy as prime spots where Chinese are engaged in selling products such as perfumes, clothes, mobile phones and shoes.

Indians are often found doing business in the Eastern part of Sri Lanka where they are engaged in selling sarees, shalwars and shoes. (Supun Dias)