Government to stop foreigners on tourist visas doing business in Sri Lanka: PM

8 January 2025 01:41 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 59 Bookmark

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By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, January 08 (Daily Mirror)- The government will formulate a mechanism to stop foreigners who engage in business activities while on tourist visas, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

The Prime Minister told Parliament that it is reported that foreigners on tourist visas engage in business activities and that the government has identified it as an issue.

"We are discussing the measures to be taken against that and are in the process of formulating a mechanism to stop such illegal activities," she said.

The Premier said this while responding to a question by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman on Israeli nationals engaging in business activities in Sri Lanka.

Comments - 59

Aquarius Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:01 PM

Excellent idea as no country allows tourists to do any business with a tourists visa. Unfortunately, this is happening in Sri Lanka with the help of local politicians (at the village and town levels too). This could not have flourished without local help and the authorities turning a blind eye.

7 111

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:15 PM

Utter bullshit, go to Thailand and you will find prostitutes of other nations also doing business. It is local laziness, jealousy and foolishness that drives people to create their own mafia enclaves.

39 11

Pakis Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:08 PM

We have enough laws against this. The PM need not make any statements but order the Police and Attorney General to do their job properly. Also what about the Chabad houses ?

3 37

Ram P Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:05 PM

Prosecuting them will give them time to stay in Sri Lanka until matter is heard. Pack them back to where they came from and ban them any visa to Sri lanka for the next 5 years. Action can be taken to confiscate their business utencils/assets

12 96

Stormy D. Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:05 PM

Correct mechanism.

3 14

Dakshini Perera Wednesday, 08 January 2025 06:01 PM

Agree 100%. What if a Sri Lankan or any other visitor did the same thing in their countries? Immediate deportation!

3 25

Mizaru Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:12 PM

Nice, the county is getting back to normality.

12 67

Gerard Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:19 PM

Formulate a mechanism? What does this really mean? You don't need any mechanism, just take trip up and down the coastal strip and ask for the paperwork and ID's from those who run businesses. You don't have any issues with sending government offices to catch those who sell rice 5 rupees over the controlled price or an egg over a few cents. If they are on visitor visas, cancel them on the spot on deport them. Or are you worried this will have an impact on the souped up visitor figures?

10 86

Concerned Citizen Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:39 PM

Exactly, what mechanism do they need ? These guys are already in violation of their visa conditions

6 69

Concerned Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:49 PM

Spot on. Madam Prime Minister, you can “clean” this mess up in a couple of weeks.

3 20

Peter Perera Wednesday, 08 January 2025 06:59 PM

@gerad Very good comment. The last sentence says everything !!

3 7

Rip Winkle Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:33 PM

Why waste time? It's illegal for foreigners on tourist visas to engage in business so simply have the cops arrest them. No doubt such businesses are conducted by greasing a few palms. Have them arrested too. Clean Sri Lanka!

6 80

Adwani Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:45 PM

When Sri Lankans are sleeping and not getting engaged in business the foreigners are engaging in business. We cannot say no other countries allow trourist to engage in business, other countries problems are not like ours. Therefore, let them do business and collect Taxes, business visa charges, etc.

62 17

080125 Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:34 PM

Sri Lanka is the most unfavorable country for foreign investment - first they will invite you here and smile, then they will insult you, put obstacles in your way, then they will take away your property and kick you out. Foreigners should know about this, I am sure and I am really waiting for those who are kicked out and deprived of their property (legally robbed) to quickly tell the whole world about it on the Internet.

9 12

FINE THEM HEAVILY AND GET SOME $$$ INTO THE TREASURY. Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:41 PM

ADWANI, OTHER COUNTRIES DO NOT PERMIT ANYONE ON A TOURIST AND OR VISITORS VISA TO CONDUCT ANY FORM OF BUSINESS, BUSINESS VISAS ARE ONLY ISSUED TO THOSE WHO CAN PROVED THEY HAVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND OR LAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY UPFRONT AND OPEN UP BA BUSINESS. IF OUR PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING, WELL THEN THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM. GET THE IMMIGRATION TO CK RECORDS AND GO AFTER THOSE WHO HAVE OVERSTAYED, REMAND THEM, A HEAVY FINE AND 5 YRS BAN FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY. IF CAUGHT DOING BUSINESS CONFISCATE ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT INCLUDING PHONE AND DEPORT THEM.

6 8

Lkf Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:48 PM

Yes.., why waste time on people who have broken the law. There are chabads (Israeli pray houses ). Next , they will ask for a Synagogue. SL is a multi cultural society. This is not the time for provocation. Israelis/Jews must understand this and assist commonsense in SL. Tourism is one-thing: irregularities another.

7 48

Dez Oliver Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:04 PM

There was a Synagogue in Ceylon I believe Ratunda gardens I have a photo, a new Synagogue is a good idea...

16 6

Genuine Wednesday, 08 January 2025 02:52 PM

Please make available on SL' s ETA system to issue on arrival business visa for a payment of 50 dollars for Europeans and 20 $ for south Asian countries. Now SL issue only free tourist visas for asians only. New mechanism can be formulated by inexperienced NPP DEGREE HOLDERS IMMEDIATELY, never?

40 12

THE GOVT SHOULD FOLLOW THE STANDARD PRACTICE AROUND THE WORLD WHEN APPROVING BUSINESS VISAS. Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:52 PM

GENUINE, WHERE HAVE YOU COME FROM BUSINESS VISAS FOR $50 ON ARRIVAL!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW BUSINESS VISAS ARE ISSUED ALL AROUND THE WORLD, PEOPLE HAVE TO PROVE THEY ARE EITHER CONNECTED TO EXISTING BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTRY AND IF COMING TO INVEST, PROOF OF FUNDS AND BUSINESS, WHICH THE CHECK AND CONFIRM PRIOR TO APPROVING ANY BUSINESS VISAS. HOPE THE GOVT NEVER ISSUES BUSINESS VISAS WITH THE USUAL PROCEDURES AROUND THE WORLD, OR WE WILL GET CROOKS AND SCUM ENTERING THE COUNTRY. THE GOVT WILL RUN THE COUNTRY, WE JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND STAY THE COURSE INSTEAD OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS THAT ARE USUALLY MADE BY SUPPORTERS OF THE PAST POLITICIANS WHO DID NOTHING BUT FEATHER THEIR NEST, FAMILY AND STOOGES.

4 6

M Fernando Wednesday, 08 January 2025 08:24 PM

...and allow them to repatriate all the money they earn on a $50 "business" visa you propose ? What kind of degree holder are you ? RW and his government has hitched itself to an evil middle eastern regime for the same of dollars and pleasing Western Friends. We are now paying the price after having shipped off our people to work there.

4 6

OUT OF TOUCH Wednesday, 08 January 2025 10:15 PM

M FERNANDO, EXACTLY $50 EVERY DICK TOM AND HARRY WILL BE HERE ON BUSINESS VISAS. i THINK GENUINE IS SO OUT OF TOUCH.

0 0

Common sense Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:03 PM

Don't waste any money in formulating a policy, just deport them as they are in violation of the visa they are holding. Period!

2 12

silva Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:08 PM

open your eyes already! the authorities create so many obstacles for these "tourists" as you call them in legalizing their activities that it is impossible to describe in words! you yourselves create unreal conditions for business and then complain! look how many jobs these "tourists" give to people on the coast that the government has forgotten about, what salaries local workers receive from these "tourists"! The government needs to work on simplifying the conditions for business, otherwise thousands of local people will lose good jobs and will not thank you for it. We need a mechanism for normal legalization of business and not what you are doing. PS - Well, and DM, as usual, will not publish an alternative opinion out of fear

8 6

Yohan Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:17 PM

No country allows anyone to work on tourist visa. So it is a matter of arresting such individuals and deporting them. What government should do is implement more laws to prevent any such individuals from doing such businesses. For example implement a massive fine like usd 50000 and ban from entering SL for upto 10y.

3 16

roobarbie Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:19 PM

Australia has some of the best and strict laws against tourists getting involved in any activities other tourism. Sri Lanka should study and adopt them, and empower the law enforcement agencies to implement them, immediately.

1 3

RuwanL Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:20 PM

Ensure all toirist have a return ticket when they come into the country! The airport should have an address for every tourist. Also the airport should alert the police if they have not gone back.

3 8

Leo Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:23 PM

If Sri Lankans can't let the foreigners do them. Any country need more businesses not more job seekers.

6 3

ANYOME OPERATING A BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRY WOULD BE SHAKING THEIR HEADS READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS HERE Wednesday, 08 January 2025 10:20 PM

LEO, NO OME IS SAYING NO TO INVESTMENT, BUT THERE ARE PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW, NOT JUST FLY OVER AND PAY$50 AT THE AIRPORT. WHEN ON EARTH DO THEY PERMIT THIS KIND OF BUSINESS?. MOST COUNTRIES LOOK THROUGH TOURIST/VISITOR VISAS WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB AND BUSINESSES TOO, AS THE CORRUPT AND CROOKS WILL BE FLOODING THEIR COUNTRIES.

1 0

Don Dee Wednesday, 08 January 2025 03:27 PM

Finally. Thank you Madam Prime Minister. Please implement at the earliest.

5 7

Rani Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:05 PM

Sri Lanka issues visa for Asians free but the money comes from Europe and UK tourists. Go figure.

3 6

M Fernando Thursday, 09 January 2025 02:15 AM

Yes, these ultra hi-end European and UK (aka "white") tourists , going around in CTB buses and trishaws, bringing massive amounts of money to the country, What would we do without such Big Spenders !

1 1

Cherath Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:06 PM

This news item sounds as if engaging in business by foreigners was allowed to happen till now. Visit Mirissa, for example, and you'll see foreigners from Dutch women to German men running businesses of all sorts - ice cream, booze, king coconuts and massage parlours. All without a care in the world, the result of the authorities turning a blind eye for years.

4 12

wsw Thursday, 09 January 2025 07:50 AM

Most likely, these authorities would have been bribed to turn a blind eye, no wonder these tourists so boldly flout the laws in this country, would have never dared to do so elsewhere.

1 1

Eri Clau Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:15 PM

It's a very good decision. Must stop foreigners doing business on tourist visa.

3 4

Priya Fernando Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:16 PM

Exactly, what mechanism do they need ? These guys are already in violation of their visa conditions. Give a special phone number to the general public to report such illegal activities

3 11

The Economist Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:31 PM

Please do not waste time in discussing. Just follow how other countries do such as Singapore and follow a similar methods. You have majority and it can easily be enacted. These tourists doing business charge money in USD, GBP, Yuan, etc. Therefore, the penalties for those who violate must be about LKR 1 million and over plus compulsory prison sentence.

1 12

Aquarius Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:38 PM

It is surprising to see "negative" reactions on this issue as it touches our economy and livelihood, and something definitely against the law of the country. But unfortunately, there are are some who think otherwise. This simply shows Clean Sri Lanka will be an additional challenge for all those who want a better future for the country.

3 3

Wagner Wednesday, 08 January 2025 04:45 PM

Don't worry nothing will happen they are even provided with STF security as this is their God promised Holiday home

0 5

Gamini Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:26 PM

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman won't be complaining as long as people of other nationalities, other than Israeli nationals do business in SL

2 8

Lkf Wednesday, 08 January 2025 10:25 PM

Doing business is one issue and starting a new religion, the latter, a bigger issue and dangerous.

1 2

me Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:36 PM

what about the foreigners driving three wheelers and it hampers the daily earning of the poor

7 5

D Perera Thursday, 09 January 2025 08:59 AM

They must be renting the three wheelers, it's more money to the country.

1 0

Nizam sally Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:49 PM

No one above the law and if any tourist found working or doing business on tourist visa , as appropriate government must impose hefty penalties confiscate goods properties and jail terms with red notices “ and no future visa visits to Sri Lanka

3 7

Pusa Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:59 PM

Let them stay. They are seeing opportunities (and taking them) when the locals are "just sitting under a coconut tree and wait for the coconut to fall". We can learn from them and that is a net asset to the country.

6 8

Truth teller Wednesday, 08 January 2025 06:50 PM

This is a smokescreen! Yes, some foreigners are operating illegal businesses, but the VAST majority are paying taxes, employing staff, offering higher wages, and providing international work conditions with better benefits. So many offer on-site training and significant inward investment. On the other hand, the majority of locally owned tourism businesses are not paying any taxes, and most are not even registered! they employ staff without contracts and avoid paying EPF and ETF. This whole drama is simply a way of misdirecting everyone’s attention away from the majority of tax dodgers.

4 9

against Wednesday, 08 January 2025 10:37 PM

you are absolutely right! all this hate speech against foreigners will end badly for Sri Lanka

1 1

Udi Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:50 PM

What about the foreign worker recruitment agents who are stationed in Sri Lanka only with Tourist Visas and continue job interviews and managing recruitment companies. They should also get a proper Visa from the Government of Sri Lanka. The opposition MP's question is one sided and need more analysis on his question and the disturbances related to tourism had in Trincomalee area a few months before.

0 6

Suranga Hettiarachchi Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:54 PM

Yes, It is against the law, and the government should apply it. At the same time, you do not want to drive businesses away. Foreigners bring capital investments that Sri Lankans do not have. They employ locals. The government should liberalize the procedures, making it easier for locals to start businesses and have processes for foreign owners to invest in local businesses and partnerships.

0 5

John Frazer Wednesday, 08 January 2025 07:58 PM

There are 2 types of business acctivities going on in Sri Lankan foreighners who comes on visitors visa. one this is mainly by indian individuals who brings things and sell shope to shop in colombo , North and eastern part of srilanak. second some visitors have set up businesses in sri lanka and run hotels , restaurents and bed and breakfirst lodgeing . They know govt of SL is very weak

2 5

Easier said than done Wednesday, 08 January 2025 09:38 PM

Easier said than done. Our high spending tourists have started running behind the bread tuk now.

1 2

WE HAD SOME ON TOURIST VISAS COME IN AND DO THEIR SHADY BUSINESS DEALING USING OUR COUNTRY, INSTEAD OF THEIRS. Wednesday, 08 January 2025 10:24 PM

ANYONE CAL APPLY FOR A BUSINESS VISA, THE PROCEDURE ARE VERY DIFFERENT TO A VISIT AND OR TOURIST VISA. IF THEY FIT THE GOVT REQUIREMENTS ALL WELL AND GOOD WE WILL WELCOME THEM WITH OPEN ARMS. SOME OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE GOT SCAMMED BY SO CALLED BUSINESSMEN AROUND THE WORLD, SO GOVT WILL FOLLOW THE USUAL, THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WE ARE CERTAIN THEY WILL GET IT RIGHT.

0 0

Tourist Thursday, 09 January 2025 02:23 AM

This will be quite hard to Police. Especially when it comes to tourists practicing the oldest profession. The only way the Government is going to control this loop hole is to ensure that tourists arrive armed with the following: 1 Tourists arriving should have sufficient minimum finances for their stay of 20 days. Please note allow two weeks in the first instance. Genuine Tourist does not require more than 14 days; 2 Where they intend to stay and show their respective bookings; 3 Do not extend the Visa without sufficient proof that the tourists have sufficient funds and a place to stay.

1 0

Not for Sale Thursday, 09 January 2025 02:24 AM

Now, Netanyahu wants to buy Sri Lanka!

0 0

RP Thursday, 09 January 2025 03:39 AM

Thank you PM. Very good move. Also, please provide ID to the Tour Guides/Operators. Also, employ more tourist Police to protect the Tourists as we seems to hit another Milestone in 2025. Thank you again!

1 0

Inshi Thursday, 09 January 2025 06:55 AM

Sri Lanka must earn revenue from the businesses without the money being sent out of the country. Proper laws and taxes should be in place to deter foreigners doing business illegally.

1 0

Hon. Sarneris Thursday, 09 January 2025 07:16 AM

These Montessori kids don't know that mechanisms have been formulated decades back.

0 0

D perera Thursday, 09 January 2025 09:03 AM

Why not adopt a new law/rule on this matter. Ask them to invest at least 100k us dollars and hire minimum 5 locals for their business.

1 0

sarath gooneratne Thursday, 09 January 2025 10:58 AM

There is no necessity to formulate mechanisms to stop foreigners who engage in business activities while on tourist visas, as Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said. It is already there. These foreigners have come on tourist visas. If they do business they should immediately be arrested , their tourist visas cancelled and deported back t their own country. This is what all recognised countries do.

0 0

Darina Dudko Thursday, 09 January 2025 11:24 AM

So much hate and distruction in this messages. Just a little comment from a small business owner in Sri Lanka, paying both company and personal taxes, employing local people and benefiting this country in many other ways. Srilankan Government gave us an opportunity to come to this beautiful country, invest our money and after years of being residents they reject to extend our residence visas. So we have to fly out of the country and best case we come back on the business visa which after one month government refuses to extend and converts to tourist visa. If you see us an evil, just so you know: if you kick me out, this country will loose taxes I pay and 8 srilankan will loose their sustainable well paid job and noone will clean plastic rubbish on the beach that all people inland dump to the river. I strongly agree that it's completely wrong that many businesses (both foreign and local owned are not paying taxes). And for me as a business owner it's really hard to compete with them

0 0

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