Tourists doing business: Sri Lanka to get tough

13 March 2024 06:34 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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- Raids are presently being conducted in the south to identify illegally run businesses

- In future, foreigners will need a local partner to operate businesses

- Some foreigners have been deported in recent weeks

Colombo, March 13 (Daily Mirror) - The government will soon strengthen its laws to prevent foreign nationals from operating businesses in the country while they are under tourist visas and have already begun conducting raids in the south, the Daily Mirror learns.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror exclusively reported that several foreign nationals including Russians, Ukrainians and Israelis who were in Sri Lanka under tourist visas were operating businesses in tourist hotspots which had severely hampered the local tourist industry.

From running cafes, restaurants, bars to exchanging money and running undial services and providing accommodation and transport, several foreign nationals who have been in the country long term due to conflicts in their own countries, seem to have taken the law for granted.

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando had told the Daily Mirror earlier this month that most of these establishments were not registered with the SLTDA and were not paying taxes.

Following the expose by the Daily Mirror, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that Russians and Ukrainians who have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022 will need to apply for a visa or leave the country.

Highly placed sources said that some foreign nationals who had been conducting businesses illegally had already been deported in recent weeks and raids are presently being conducted, especially in the south as most establishments were unregistered.

In an attempt to prevent the matter from escalating further whilst maintaining diplomatic ties with the nations concerned, the government will soon introduce new laws clearly stating that foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka under tourist visas will not be able to operate any businesses while here and those who wish to do so must enter through valid visas. Furthermore, foreigners must have a local partner in order to operate a business in the country and the business must be registered with the relevant institutions including the SLTDA.

If any foreigner is caught going against these laws, they will be arrested and deported, sources said stating that presently the situation of tourists operating businesses had 'gone out of control'.

The Daily Mirror learns that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been briefed about the situation and has agreed to draft new and clear laws in order to prevent diplomatic misunderstandings with the countries concerned.

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Comments - 16

Sampath Gamvasam Wednesday, 13 March 2024 07:10 AM

This has to be stopped immediately. However we need to learn why tourists start doing business. It's a very good indication that Sri Lankans aren't good business men. Mainly mafia, ripoff tourists where possible, unrealoble and bad work ethics. Therefore even I would like to do business with a tourist who would give a good service. Until we understand this and be competitive there we won't be able to upheld our tourism sector.

Visitor Wednesday, 13 March 2024 07:16 AM

Frankly, this is trying to catch very small fish to show off for an election. There are bigger local fish who own businesses or hotels living overseas or in even in Sri Lanka using apps like Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb , TripAdvisor etc. or whatever other means available, who are able to siphon off revenue overseas using Sri Lanka or even any other Country in the world as the base. Our Governing system prevents visitor investors from generating, retaining or transferring legitimately. These corrupt political decisions only supports building more even more corrupt practice, Just like this article says. If we think more inventively and build TRUST, Tourists or Temporary long stayers too can invest more and bring in revenue and have freedom either to invest more and more or transfer profits out. Unfortunately, there are no innovative ways that will allow SL to grow using visitor or overseas Sri Lankan people`s investments. Only the NPP seems to have understood this - unfortunately.

KD Wednesday, 13 March 2024 07:23 AM

Yeah our people are too lazy and risk averse to starting anything new so lets the tourists di what they want. Their restaurants are arguably helping bring more tourists into Sri Lanka. Remember we had an economic crisis last two years purely because of lack of tourists during covid. Now we are acting all high and mighty by hating on tourists just because we have some dollars in the bank.

RF Wednesday, 13 March 2024 08:47 AM

Not only this but also salon business is threatened by unregistered operators not paying taxes, EPF, ETF to staff nor obtaining licences, thus depriving government revenue amounting to billions of rupees in tax revenue

Diana Wednesday, 13 March 2024 08:47 AM

If a foriegn woman makes law in the country, why can't others come here do business?

Sigh4Diana Wednesday, 13 March 2024 09:17 PM

1) Don't do it on a tourist visa 2) Pay the due fees

Shera Wednesday, 13 March 2024 09:20 AM

So tourists have lucrative businesses to the point of crippling the local economy. But Sri Lankans are complaining from morning till night saying no money, no opportunities unless they migrate, useless country etc. Wonder why. Work ethic perhaps or too proud to work.

Have Multi Visa Application Easier to Apply Wednesday, 13 March 2024 09:30 AM

Good move. More tourists especially having family ties want to stay and experience the beauty of the country. Should give them multiple visa easily as it will be convenient to move about without worrying of visa approvals etc. Long term planning can be initiated and will definitely benefit the country as they will definitely spend their forex.

DW Wednesday, 13 March 2024 09:34 AM

"If any foreigner is caught going against these laws, they will be arrested and deported" This is one of the funniest things I've heard. You see those type of warning on news and media in developed countries. Sri Lanka is lucky to tourists. Them doing businesses in SL, create job opportunities for locals. It should be noted that half the country is owned by other countries. Take, Hambanthota harbour and Port city for example. They are trying to destroy small fish when massive sharks are eating up the country. The rest of the country has been destroyed by Sri Lankan politicians. Sri Lanka being a Buddhist majority, it doesn't hurt to help these tourists from war torn country to make some money. You don't even need a brain to figure out why Sri Lanka had a financial crisis. Absolutely clueless and no common sense.

AIA Wednesday, 13 March 2024 10:26 AM

This is a very good move. If the funds of the tourists are circulating only among themselves and not reaching the local SMEs , whats the benefit Sri Lankan businesses has , even if these guys pay taxes to the government . To develop an economy from any industry the livelihoods of the local stake holders should should benefit from it .

Lk Wednesday, 13 March 2024 11:29 AM

Do not go back to the stone age. Update our immigration laws to make it easy to get a business visa so that our trade and business can increase locally and internationally. Today, trade and business are global. educate our immigration officials to update our system and they should not stop incoming tourists and visitors. it is good for our economy. today, immigration is a big business as well.

PI from Australia Wednesday, 13 March 2024 12:09 PM

When Sri Lankan politicians have almost destroyed the economy in the last 70 years, what impact these small number of tourists can have on the Sri Lankan economy?? I think Sri Lankan authorities need to improve their basic analytical skills.

Confused Wednesday, 13 March 2024 12:11 PM

If any foreigner is caught going against these laws, they will be arrested and deported. One set of rules for foreigners, one set of rules for the general public and NO rules for politicians, their friends and families.

thilanka Wednesday, 13 March 2024 12:14 PM

Any action against basil

Adwani Wednesday, 13 March 2024 01:59 PM

Sri Lankans will always be Sleeping Poles, let them do business in a better way. Issue business visa. When no one does, let others do.

Moh Sleiman Thursday, 14 March 2024 05:24 AM

SRI LANKA is a fantastic country to live,if not for the bloody corrupt POLITICIANS and DRUG lords protected by the THE high RANKING police officials and Politicians.Only way for improvement in life is for a change.So lets all get together and Rally for AKD,he is the only hope.

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Tourists doing business: Sri Lanka to get tough

Comments - 16

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