Articles tagged with “touristvisaviolations”

Sri Lanka has deported foreign nationals operating businesses while on tourist visas, Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe announced. The crackdown targets those violating visa rules, including Ukrainians, Russians, and Israelis running ventures in coastal towns. Ranasinghe said locals subletting properties to these foreigners also face scrutiny. Authorities identified three categories: visa overstayers, illegal renters, and lawful investors. The move aims to protect local businesses and boost revenue. Tourist visas prohibit employment or selfemployment. Past cases revealed foreigners operating for over five years illegally. The government seeks to prevent unregulated business activities that evade taxes. While foreign investment is permitted under specific regulations, small operators often struggle with legal hurdles, leading to informal setups. The enforcement aligns with efforts to regulate tourismrelated businesses.