Sri Lanka to End Free Visas for Russians, Ukrainians

Facts

• Sri Lankan Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told Reuters on Thursday that Russian and Ukrainian visitors who have entered the Indian Ocean country over the past two years under its free long-term stay visa scheme will have to pay $50 for 30-day visas to remain in Sri Lanka.¹
• Though the complimentary visa extensions for these tourists ended last Friday, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority implemented a 14-day grace period until March 7 for individuals to either return home or formally extend their visas.²
• The office of the president, however, ordered an investigation into the notice of the tourism ministry, alleging that it had been issued without cabinet approval and that the government has made no official decision to cancel the visa renewal.³
• According to official data, over 288K Russians and roughly 20K Ukrainians have traveled to Sri Lanka since the war in Ukraine began, but the figure for those who remain in the country is unclear.³
• Sri Lanka originally offered free visas to help boost its debt-ridden economy, but locals have since complained that thousands had settled in the country — some to avoid being drafted to the war — where they have opened restaurants and nightclubs.⁴
• The president of an entrepreneurs' association in the country told BBC News Sinhala that Russians own many businesses in the southern coastal city of Unawatuna — an allegedly 'white-only' party was due to take place at one such last Saturday, but was canceled after sparking outrage online.⁵

Sources: ¹Reuters.com, ²Daily Mirror, ³Independent, ⁴The Moscow Times and ⁵BBC News.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by UKRINFORM. The vast majority of these visa holders are from Russia, so this is really a Russian problem. Since Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Russians have entered Sri Lanka as tourists and set up illegal and even racist businesses in the country, abusing its generous visa program. Sri Lanka is rightfully asserting its sovereign right to control its own tourism industry.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by DailyNews. Russian tourists have been an economic godsend for Sri Lanka since the end of the country's devastating 30-year war in 2009, including after the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, providing a major boost to the crisis-hit economy. Sri Lanka understands the importance of Russia to its tourism industry, which is why it should remain neutral in this war and continue to welcome Russian tourists into its borders.

Predictions