Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is facing growing challenges as some foreigners appear to be taking advantage of the country’s relaxed visa policies. The recent incidents – including the arrest of the Chinese nationals for alleged cybercrime activities, reports of unregulated Chinese tour guides, cases of Russian and Ukrainian tourists overstaying and engaging in business in the south and the rise of unauthorised Israeli businesses – highlight potential vulnerabilities and raise concerns about maintaining stability.

The situation reached a tipping point when the Israeli government advised its citizens to leave Sri Lanka, due to the growing unease about safety, following the U.S. Embassy’s warning of credible threats in Arugam Bay, exacerbating the complex interplay between tourism, national security and visa management.

Mounting challenges

These recent incidents involving foreign nationals have highlighted vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka’s tourist visa system. There are signs that the system may be open to misuse, with some networks seemingly able to take advantage of the outdated visa monitoring processes. This raises concerns about the potential for international illicit activities to gain a foothold in the country.

The impact on legitimate tourism is already evident. Multiple travel advisories, warning of threats, have further complicated the recovery efforts for the crucial economic sector. 

While the SLTDA and Police have notably increased surveillance, these seem to be merely band-aid solutions, as without a comprehensive visa monitoring system, the nation appears to be fighting a losing battle.

More alarming is the growing suspicion that these discovered cases represent only the tip of the iceberg. For every illegal operation uncovered, several others could likely operate undetected under the radar. Sadly, the current system’s limitations make it challenging for the authorities to monitor the visitors who overstay their visas or engage in activities beyond their visa provisions. 

As Sri Lanka struggles to balance tourism growth with mounting concerns, the urgent need to overhaul its visa management system becomes increasingly critical. Tourist visas are being systematically misused for unauthorised business operations and potentially illegal activities, creating vulnerabilities in the country’s security and threatening the legitimate tourism sector. Each day without reform provides criminal networks another opportunity to entrench themselves behind the facade of tourism.

AI is key 

The importance of having a robust visa platform cannot be overstated. Such a visa platform would not only facilitate the entry of the legitimate visitors but also see that they adhere to the terms of their visas. It can include tracking their stays, guaranteeing they leave the country when required and ability to act against those who violate the visa regulations.

An efficient visa platform would also complement these efforts, so that the tourists and other visitors are properly vetted and monitored, thus protecting the country’s economy, safeguard the tourism industry and the country’s reputation.

Modern visa management platforms, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), offer sophisticated monitoring capabilities that Sri Lanka urgently needs. The AI-driven systems can track alert authorities when visas expire. The technology can help identify the individuals who overstay their visas and take appropriate action, ensuring they leave the country. Using AI and other advanced technologies, Sri Lanka can establish a visa system that is efficient and secure, making certain that the country remains a safe and welcoming destination for all visitors.

Countries such as Singapore and Australia have already demonstrated the effectiveness of AI-integrated border management systems. Singapore’s automated immigration clearance system, combining biometric data with AI analytics, has significantly enhanced their ability to prevent illegal activities while maintaining efficient tourist flow.

An AI-driven visa platforms can also process vast amounts of data to identify the patterns that the human operators might miss. For instance, the system could automatically flag when multiple foreign nationals register the same residential address or when the tourist visa holders engage in suspicious financial transactions. Every day implementation is delayed, the risk extends beyond the tourism industry to internal security.

Economic implications

While some tourism stakeholders worry about deterring visitors with stricter controls, the bigger threat lies in allowing weaker controls to persist. The cost of such an implementation is also questioned but the potential losses from continued security breaches and damaged tourism reputation is costing more. 

Even though the authorities acknowledge the growing crisis of unauthorised foreign-run businesses, the true economic impact runs deeper than surface-level regulatory violations. These illegal operations enjoy unfair advantages - evading taxes, bypassing local business regulations and undercutting legitimate enterprises - while systematically siphoning revenues abroad. The local business owners, who comply with the regulations and contribute to the nation’s tax base, find themselves at a severe competitive disadvantage against these shadow operations. 

The technology exists to create a system that is both tourist-friendly and security-conscious. A well-structured visa system can enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal as a stable destination. When the travellers know they are visiting a country with strong safety measures, it boosts confidence and potentially increases high-value tourism. However, the challenge lies in implementation, with all stakeholders aligned.

As Sri Lanka’s tourism recovers and positions itself as a premier tourist destination, regularising visa management needs immediate action to protect the tourism industry as well as the well-being of the nation. Sri Lanka’s future prosperity and security depend on it.

(Joshua Perera, an experienced writer, editor and researcher, has a background in fact-checking, investigative journalism and debunking misinformation. He can be reached at [email protected])