Sri Lanka has ceased offering free long-term visa extensions to Russians and Ukrainians who arrived in the country in the past two years.
This decision comes in the wake of public outcry over a “whites only” event advertised at a nightclub run by Russians on the island.
The Sarayka lounge, located in the popular resort town of Unawatuna in the south of Sri Lanka, had planned to host a “White Party” last week.
However, a poster circulating widely on social media for the event sparked outrage, as it included a line stating “Face Control: White,” which many interpreted as a signal that non-white individuals would be denied entry.
Shortly after the party’s cancellation, the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority announced the discontinuation of free long-term visa extensions for Russian and Ukrainian tourists, effective February 23. A 14-day grace period will allow those without new visas to stay until March 7.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles informed Reuters that affected individuals wishing to remain in Sri Lanka would need to pay approximately $50 for a 30-day visa.
“Whoever wants to stay back can apply for new visas,” Alles stated. “They can immediately renew their visas and remain here.”
In response to the nightclub incident, the Russian Embassy in Colombo issued a statement condemning all forms of racial discrimination and nationalism, urging its citizens to abide by local laws and customs.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russians have been flocking to Sri Lanka, with an estimated 300 to 400 believed to have stayed on the island since, according to Priantha Fernando, chairman of the country’s tourism body, as reported by Reuters.
Official statistics indicate that nearly 200,000 Russians and approximately 5,000 Ukrainians visited the island in 2023.
This influx has provided a welcome boost to Sri Lanka’s economy, which has faced challenges in recent years, including declaring bankruptcy in 2022 due to mounting foreign debt.
However, the country’s economy has shown signs of recovery more recently, with growth of 1.6% recorded from July to September.
