Sri Lanka deports over 600 foreign nationals; tightens visa regulations

Sri Lanka has deported over 600 foreign nationals including around 200 Islamic preachers and tightened visa regulations since the Easter Sunday attacks which killed over 250 people.

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said that the preachers had entered the country legally but were found to have overstayed their visas, for which fines were imposed and they were deported from the country.

He said the government has taken a decision to tighten visa restrictions for religious teachers considering the current situation in the country.

The Minister did not give the nationalities of those deported, but police have said many of them were from Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan.

The Minister said the government was overhauling the country’s visa policy following fears that foreign preachers could radicalise locals for a repeat of the suicide bombings, which targeted three Christian churches and three luxury hotels.

Meanwhile, security operations continue all over the country and police carried out search operations in all schools today, before they open tomorrow for the first time after Easter Sunday attacks.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said security arrangements are being made at every school and the public has been asked not to park cars close to schools.

The spokesman said they will grant a two-day amnesty for people to surrender weapons like guns and swords as security forces are on high alert to avoid any untoward incident.

Catholic churches cancelled Sunday mass for the second consecutive day today but a special service conducted by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was broadcast on national television.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has claimed that peace has returned back to the country as most of the terrorists linked to attacks have either been killed or arrested.