President orders probe into directive for Russian, Ukrainian tourists to depart

25 February 2024 10:43 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Feb 25 ( Daily Mirror) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered an investigation into the notification issued to Russian and Ukrainian tourists, without prior Cabinet approval, requiring them to leave the country within 14 days.

The President's Media Division said that the Sri Lankan government has not officially decided to revoke the visa extensions previously granted to these tourists.

Comments - 26

Lk Sunday, 25 February 2024 11:11 AM

This is a mess ? Why do officials do this ? Is it politically motivated? Who has done it ? Why? Sri Lanka is a neutral country on this war. Is it any safety issue

Jeanne Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:46 PM

You'll find that this decision was nothing to do with the war. It's more about ruining the moral and business state of the country. The President should not get involved.

Roberta Flack Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:16 PM

Take a chill pill man. You have got the wrong end of the stick like the officials themselves. Read and follow the news then you will understand Mr.Lk

Sanath Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:41 PM

The whole country is !!!

Citizen Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:42 PM

Investigation. Is this at Udayangana Weeratungas request ?

Mahila Monday, 26 February 2024 02:58 AM

ABSOLUTE SABOTAGE TO NEGATE TOURISM GAINS!?

Nimal Sunday, 25 February 2024 11:39 AM

What the hell? Sack the Controller of Immigration!

Karalasingam Sivalingam Sunday, 25 February 2024 12:36 PM

Is there a government, within the government, this directive will affect SriLankan reputation internationally.

One looses only what they have Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:35 PM

Commedian... again. Is there a reputation to be affected. Try travelling overseas with a SLn passport and you'll have some memorable experiences at every immigration.

bande Sunday, 25 February 2024 12:52 PM

Politicians and Govt officials have jointly ruined this country .

A.P.N. Sunday, 25 February 2024 12:53 PM

I'm one of these tourist from Ukraine. The officer of the immigration department informs us that we need to return home. I explained that I could not come home because of war, and she said that it was not her problem. It's so sad that they don't understand that I spend my money in their country. No email was sent, and no phone call to inform me about this.

Aquarius Sunday, 25 February 2024 12:58 PM

We need to sort out our foreign policy before racing towards tourism. Normally, no "tourists" are allowed to do business in the country they visit. It is local groups and businessmen who encourage this.

Adwani Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:23 PM

Tree Climbers rule. Since independence we have mistakenly elected coconut tree climbers.

Jeanne Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:07 PM

Hear! Hear! Well said. And now sadly, the trees are coming crashing down.

RR Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:47 PM

WHAT APPROVAL TO LEAVE THIS MESSY COUNTRY?

Oswald Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:58 PM

Clearly politically motivated. The adverse publicity will take a long time to change. Forward bookings going to be cancelled. The directive should be reversed immediately pending investigation. The hands behind the mischief to be publicly named and severely punished.

Jeanne Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:05 PM

Whaaaat? Based on what should they be "publicly named" and "severely" punished?? Bit over dramatic, don't you think?

Ronnie Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:25 PM

W need more and more tourists to come and settle in this part of the world Russians Chinese Ukrainian indians Thai our peoole will not devolop this country if we can encourage and surport in every possible way it would be good for the countries economy and prosperity in many ways keep our doors open.........

KoffeeMoffie Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:44 PM

Who issued the notification? The department of Immigration and Emigration?

Aquarius Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:23 PM

These "tourists" from Russia and Ukraine were given special free extension of visas from Feb 2022 due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and their inability to get back to their home countries. However, the department of Immigration now rightfully says their visas will not be extended and they have to leave Sri Lanka as flights are available to both countries. Is the President questioning this legitimate ruling?

Gabriella Sunday, 25 February 2024 06:00 PM

These “tourists” are looking for a safe country to “sit-out” the war and avoid the draft. Many have overstayed their visa and are looking for loopholes to stay longer. Having said that, most the Immigration Controllers are nothing but subverters of the tourist industry. They are the only people in the country that think people actually want to migrate to this country. Ranil needs to light a firecracker under some bums.

Lk Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:11 PM

We all know people have difficulties in these countries . While Europe take them as refugees let us take them as displaced people for some time as least 6 months and let them pay the hotels and stay .

European Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:28 PM

A.P. N. : come to Europe, they will sort you out. Ukraine is an European country, therefore you will provided a special visa. You will also get accomodation and benefits. Your children can go to school and you will get a workpermit.

lankan Sunday, 25 February 2024 09:59 PM

advisor, why are you here? LoL

Puliyapalan Nakilingam Monday, 26 February 2024 08:06 AM

Pin Gona is back again to scratch the back of Myna! Help Local people Pin Batha!!

Citizen k Monday, 26 February 2024 11:34 AM

If the Ukrainian and Russian want to commence business ,let them.We are talking about FDI and this is on a small scale.Only thing let them register as a business and pay taxes as all other businesses.

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President orders probe into directive for Russian, Ukrainian tourists to depart

Comments - 26

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