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Number of foreigners overstaying Visa reduced
Tuesday, 29 May 2007 - 11:00 AM SL Time
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The number of foreigners overstaying their visas had reduced ten fold by yesterday, Controller of Immigration and Emigration P. B. Abeykoon said.
He told The Island the major contributory factor for the decline was the imposition of heavy fines from March 1st on those violating the Immigration and Emigration laws.
`This is a very sensitive issue and we encourage more tourists to visit the country. But at the same time we have to be cautious about those who violate the law he stressed.
`Before the fines were introduced, statistics proved that there were more than 1,000 people staying here after expiry of their visas, but now the number has decreased to less than one hundred,` he said.
According to police, most of those who had violated the law were those who had found employment here in restaurants, small time hotels and factories. Most were from South Asian countries. There were also sex workers, mainly from the Ukraine, Russia, China, Thailand etc.
The ruse adopted by sex workers, to overcome the visa regulations is to visit a country close Sri Lanka when their visas reach the expiry date then return to the country and obtain a new visa for a further period.
When asked about this Abeykoon said now it was very difficult for them to adopt this ruse as the Immigration authorities and the police are keeping a close tab on such people.
Those visiting here on tourist visas are required to prove that they have the spending power of USD 1,500 a month.
A foreigner overstaying his visa for a period of one week will be asked to leave the country. Those who have overstayed for more than one week and up to 30 days will be fined USD 25 and deported while those who have overstayed up to 60 days will be fined USD 50 and deported. Anyone found overstaying for a period more than 60 days will be fined 100 USD and deported, Abeykoon explained.
Tourist visas are issued for a period of 30 days and if necessary could be extended for a further 60 days he said.
`We adopt a liberalized policy on visas and people from seventy nine countries, except a few Latin American and African countries, are issued visas on arrival in Sri Lanka,` Abeykoon said. Citizens from all SAARC countries and many western countries enjoy this facility.
`In the case of those who come here on resident visas, the visas are issued for a period of one year and if they overstay for more than three months they will be asked to leave the country. If they want to return to Sri Lanka on a resident visa they will be required to seek prior approval, he said adding that only one such case has been detected in the recent past.
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alwaysalion
Joined: Nov 2006
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29 May 2007 13:14:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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| How can Sri Lanka stop overstaying? I know many who have very influential people supporting them.Specially in the sex business. |
kiwikanga
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29 May 2007 13:29:47 GMT Report for Abuse
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A foreigner to overstay in SL, of all places, has to be either a sex worker, a kolu kaaraya or some one not in the right mind!
Edited By - kiwikanga - 29 May 2007 13:30:34 GMT |
Saint
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29 May 2007 14:40:28 GMT Report for Abuse
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They better not enforce these laws without thorough assessment of the consequences or better not abuse these lows.
I know there are so many foreigners who missed their return date due to very humane reasons.
Now according to this law, if you overstay one week to thirty days, then you will be fined and deported, see how utter unintelligent decision, since there is a sub article of 'extension for 60 days'.
They should listen to the violator fist and better understand why they missed the extension date, individual approach will be the correct way to do it, for the inconvenience bureau has the right to charge them additionally, but to deport before 60 day period is something pathetic and unethical.
Will be nice thing to counter measure foreign immigration bureaus for their maltreatment towards Sri Lanka nationals, like if they punish only Sri Lankan citizens for/under some situations then Sri Lanka also can afford to do the same or counter measures, amendment on this field would let the other countries to think twice.
Edited By - Saint - 29 May 2007 14:42:41 GMT |
DVLADV
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29 May 2007 18:07:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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| I cannot imagine a person going to Sri Lanka and over staying. Could be the toddy. :) |
nirupam
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29 May 2007 18:36:47 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Number of foreign visitors also reduced due to the military action taken by the govt to capture East and North of Sri Lanka. |
Saint
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29 May 2007 19:23:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dvladv,
It is unavoidable thing, most foreigners think since they are getting the free visa on their entrance they are allowed to stay in SL as long as they want, and authorities are practically not informing the visitors.
This exact thing happened to few of my friends.
Edited By - Saint - 29 May 2007 19:25:19 GMT |
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