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- Sri Lankan authorities have announced that free long-term visas for Russian and Ukrainian tourists will be abolished.
- The move followed controversy sparked by a Russian-organized “whites only” party.
- Russian tourists are providing a major boost to Sri Lanka’s sluggish economy.
According to Reuters, Sri Lanka has abolished free long-term visa extensions for Russians and Ukrainians who have traveled to Sri Lanka in the past two years.
This follows outrage over a “whites only” event advertised at a Russian-run nightclub on the island.
Saraika Lounge, located in the popular resort town of Unawatuna in the south of the country, was scheduled to host a “white party” last week.
However, a poster about the event that was widely circulated on social media included the line “Face Control: White People”, which many interpreted to mean refusing entry to non-white people, sparking outrage. Ta.
Shortly after the party was called off, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Board announced that free long-term visa extensions for Russian and Ukrainian tourists would be abolished on February 23, but tourists without new visas would be given a 14-day extension. There will be a grace period and you will be able to stay. Until March 7th.
Public Security Minister Tiran Ares told Reuters that affected people who want to remain in Sri Lanka will have to pay about $50 for a 30-day visa.
“Anyone who wants to return can apply for a new visa,” Ares said. “They can immediately renew their visas and stay here.”
In a statement released following the nightclub incident,“Russia strongly condemns all forms of racism and nationalism,” the Russian embassy in Colombo said, calling on citizens to obey local laws and customs.
Russians have flocked to the island since the Ukraine war broke out.
According to Reuters, Russians flooded into Sri Lanka after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and it is estimated that around 300 to 400 remain in the country, said Prianza Fernando, head of the island’s tourism association. said.
According to official statistics, about 200,000 Russians and 5,000 Ukrainians visited the island in 2023.
This is a welcome boost to Sri Lanka’s economy, which has been struggling in recent years, with the country declaring bankruptcy in 2022 in the face of mounting external debt.
However, the country’s economy has recently shown signs of revival, growing by 1.6% from July to September, Reuters reported.
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