The Cabinet approved the extension of the visa validity for another two months without any charge for Russian and Ukrainian tourists staying in Sri Lanka. Hon. Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranathunga submitted the proposal to the Cabinet.

The Minister further explained that Russian and Ukrainian tourists who are currently staying in Sri Lanka will not be able to return to their home countries until the situation is resolved due to the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Presently, 11,463 Russian tourists and 3,993 Ukrainian tourists are staying in Sri Lanka.

Further, Minister stated that Russia and Ukraine are the two countries with the highest number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The number of Russian tourists who arrived in the country between January and until February 27^th this year was recorded as 28,392, while the number of Ukrainian tourists was 13,039 in the same period.

However, the Cabinet, by its decision taken on the said Cabinet Memorandum, has approved that the extension of visa should not be a permit to work in the country and that legal action should be taken against those who violate the conditions of visa extension.