Immigration authorities to crack down on overstaying Russians, Israelis

• The southern coastal tourist season runs from November to March/April
• Many tourists apply for visa extensions after the initial 30-day period
• Authorities anticipate increased visa violations with some tourists overstaying or engaging in business activities

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will visit the southern coastal belt in early November to look for any overstaying tourists from countries like Russia and Israel, where an influx of tourists are expected in the emerging South season for Christmas, the Daily Mirror learns.

The tourist season for the southern Sri Lankan coastal belt will start in November and will last till March and April when foreign tourists from a range of countries both in the west and east will visit the island nation’s renowned and surfer-friendly sunny beaches.

An official from the Department of Immigration and Emigration told the Daily Mirror they usually conduct special visits during the Southern and Eastern coastal belts respectively from November to April and May to September.
It was learnt that a heavy influx of Russian tourists arrive in the South for Christmas vacation and Russian is among the six visa-free countries of Sri Lanka. All tourists get a 30-day tourist visa either they apply for an on-arrival visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Once the 30-day tourist visa period is exhausted most of the tourists apply for an extension whilst a considerable amount remains further long without a valid visa.

The departmental officials have visited the eastern coastal belt including Arugam Bay during last March and June but not many overstaying tourists including Israelis were apprehended, the official said.

However, the authorities expect more visa violations like overstaying and doing business with a tourist visa by many foreign tourists during the South season and will commence counter operations to identify such travellers.