Sri Lanka Investigates Unauthorized Notice for Russian and Ukrainian Tourists to Depart

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.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration recently issued a notice, granting a period of 14 days from 23 February for all Russian and Ukrainian tourists residing long-term in Sri Lanka to leave the country.

The department had stated that it would no longer keep extending tourist visas free of charge for Russians and Ukrainians who had started staying back in Sri Lanka two years ago, owing to the war.

The decision had reportedly been taken owing to concerns over certain foreign tourists running illegal businesses in the country.