Category: News

Sri Lanka’s visa crisis has triggered many concerns for foreign visitors as some have been turned away at the airport while there is still absolute confusion faced by visitors over the procedure to enter the country.

After the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the VFS-led online visa process, all travellers to Sri Lanka are now eligible for on-arrival visas, the only way to enter the country as the immigration authorities are yet to restore the old online visa platform, as directed by the Court. There is another process for ‘restricted countries’ where those nationals have to apply to the Immigration Department here through a Sri Lankan representative for a visa.

Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Camaroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea and Myanmar are on the ‘restricted’ countries list. According to Dharshana Cabraal, Joint Managing Director at Tour Blue, a group of 35 Pakistani visitors have been rejected visas this week.

A group of travellers of six family members from Nepal were rejected on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) several weeks ago as immigration officials had stated on arrival that the group cannot be identified as tourists, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASMET) President Rohan Abeywickrama told The Sunday Times Business.

In fact, he alleged that certain nationals are being ill-treated at the airport by immigration officials as they have the discretionary power to accept or reject those visiting the country.

A communiqué issued by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Nepal to the Foreign Ministry here has requested the smooth processing of visas for travellers from Nepal in future.

In this respect it was stated that according to previous regulations and practices, Nepali citizens cannot obtain on arrival visa. However, some Nepali nationals had already booked hotels and flights for their intended visit to Sri Lanka, on the basis that visas on arrival would be issued to everyone.

But this has resulted in “wasted expenses” for these individuals not only causing financial losses for travellers but also adversely affecting the reputation of Sri Lanka as a welcoming tourist destination.

Meanwhile, authorities at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have expressed concern that “all have been kept helpless” as there are many negative consequences from a tourism and economic perspective under the current issuance of visas. Sri Lanka is said to have lost over 20-25,000 tourist arrivals by way of cancellations during the month of August with most being planned visits for the Kandy Perahera.

It is believed that this number could be greater and the destination marketing companies will be able to quantify that, the top official at the SLTDA has stated. “A tourist will not want to go through the hassle and based on the advice of the tour operator or online, will select other destinations.”

In the meantime, it is learnt that there has been an increase in the number of immigration counters at the BIA. In addition, letters continue to be sent to the Immigration Department from the Tourism Ministry regarding the issuance of visas and the problems faced by the industry.

A Cabinet paper has also been approved requesting that 35 countries be issued free visas, according to former Tourism Minister and current Presidential Advisor Harin Fernando, with this to be effective from October 1.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has expressed his deep disappointment and dismay over the decision of party Senior Vice President Angajan Ramanathan and former Acting General Secretary Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Jayasekara expressed his disgust, particularly with Mithrapala, who had previously while aligned with SLFP Chief Maithripala Sirisena voiced strong opposition to other SLFP members, including Nimal Siripala de Silva, for their support of Wickremesinghe and the Government.

“It is clear they have been offered various benefits in return for their support,” Jayasekara said.

Mithrapala had previously accused de Silva and several others of attempting to align the SLFP with the President and the Government. He also played an active role in appointing Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the SLFP Acting Chairperson, a move that was contested by pro-Government de Silva and other SLFP members.

However despite their previous stance, the duo met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Election Operation Office on Flower Road yesterday and pledge their support to his presidential campaign.

At a press conference held to explain their sudden change of heart, Mithrapala, seated alongside de Silva, said that he decided to support Wickremesinghe after a thorough analysis of the current situation. He explained that after careful consideration, he concluded that Wickremesinghe was the best choice for President at this time.

“It is clear that he is the best leader to guide the country at this time,” Mithrapala said. Commenting on former SLFP Chairperson Maithripala Sirisena, Mithrapala noted that Sirisena has declared he will not support any candidate at this juncture. “Therefore, as an advisor to the party I hope he will align with the party’s decision to support Wickremesinghe,” he added.

Meanwhile Ramanathan revealed the President had promised to resolve a number of issues faced by the citizenry of the North in return for his support.

Mithrapala mentioned that the people in Jaffna had raised several issues and requested solutions. “I presented these concerns to the President, and he promised to address them. Along with the President’s effective management, which has given the economy some breathing space to recover, I decided to support him. I believe he can rebuild Sri Lanka within the next five years,” he said.

Whilst stating that he will treat all ethnic groups in the country equally if elected President next month, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the people in the eastern city of Akkaraipattu to think of the nation when voting at the Presidential election.

“Don’t think of me when you cast your vote at this year’s Presidential election, but think of your future,” the President said speaking at the 20th convention of the National Congress led by MP A.L.M. Athaullah in Akkaraipattu.

“I will treat the Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamils alike. Injustice was done to the Muslims in this country through forced burials during the pandemic period. I tendered an apology for this though it was not done by my government. It was done by another government. Therefore, we have to tender an apology. We are also ready to pay compensation to the Muslims who were affected by forced burials. I have requested Minister Ali Sabry to come up with legislation to guarantee the right of a person to decide on how his last rights should be performed,” he said.

GENEVA (22 August 2024) – A UN Human Rights Office report issued today identified renewed threats to fundamental freedoms in Sri Lanka, evidenced by new or proposed regressive laws, erosion of democratic checks and balances, ongoing threats and intimidation against civil society and journalists, and recurrence of serious human rights violations of the past.

“As the country approaches presidential and parliamentary elections, it has an opportunity to recommit to the transformational changes demanded by a broad cross-section of Sri Lankans, including accountability and reconciliation,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said.

The report points to several laws and bills introduced by the Government since 2023, giving security forces broad powers and significantly expanding pre-existing restrictions on freedoms of expression, opinion and association. “This trend is particularly concerning as the country is in an important pre-election period,” the High Commissioner said.

Authorities have continued to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act to arrest and detain people, despite a promised moratorium, the report says. It also highlights, recent cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and deaths in custody.

The report also details ongoing effects of the 2022 economic crisis and subsequent austerity measures, in particular on the poor, especially women.

“Decisions on economic policies must be guided by Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations, including by ensuring adequate social protection,” Türk said. “Sri Lanka’s creditors should provide the Government with the fiscal space needed to realise economic, social and cultural rights.”

Meanwhile, impunity and lack of accountability persist for crimes committed during and after the civil war that ended in 2009, the report says. “The Government elected next month should recommit to address the root causes of conflict and undertake fundamental constitutional and institutional reforms to address the accountability gap and work towards reconciliation,” Türk said.

“Failure of the Sri Lankan State to recognise victims’ suffering, to acknowledge security forces’ role in the commission of gross human rights violations, and to address violations committed in the past and present, has entrenched impunity and allows serious violations to recur,” Türk said.

The report also describes a long-standing pattern of intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society actors, especially those working on enforced disappearances, land disputes and environmental issues. Families, particularly of those forcibly disappeared also face intimidation, arrest and surveillance by security services in their attempts to seek the truth, or even commemorate the absence of their loved ones.

“Crimes and violations committed during and after the civil war, including the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, must not go unpunished. They must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible held to account,” the High Commissioner said.

In the absence of willingness or ability of the Sri Lankan State to prosecute and punish perpetrators of crimes, the report urges the international community to pursue complementary strategies to support accountability in Sri Lanka, including appropriate use of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions against credibly alleged perpetrators and other available measures, consistent with international law.

To read the full report, click here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/reports/ahrc5719-situation-human-rights-sri-lanka-comprehensive-report-united-nations

Namal Rajapaksa, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate, delivered a speech to supporters, highlighting his commitment to policy-driven governance and addressing the nation’s challenges.

Drawing on the legacy of his father, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal pledged to modernize the agricultural policies from 2005-2015, aiming to integrate technology with agriculture and cultivate a generation of tech-savvy farmers.

Rajapaksa also vowed to strengthen the economy through the Samurdhi movement while promising not to grant land and police powers to provincial councils. He further assured that his government would alleviate the burden of excessive taxes without selling state property.

“We will not allow the formation of border villages, nor will we give land rights and police powers to provincial councils,” Rajapaksa said.