• Protection prioritised: Police

Action against Israeli nationals overstaying their visas has been put on hold, with the focus now on ensuring the safety of all Israelis in the country, according to the Sri Lanka Police.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Tourist Range and Maritime Division Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Damayantha Vijaya Sri stressed that priority would be given to the protection of foreign nationals over launching a crackdown on overstays.

He stated that Police personnel had been deployed to safeguard individuals in hotels and other locations, with the establishment of roadblocks and initiation of mobile patrols. 

Senior Police officials, including Headquarters Inspectors and the Inspector General of Police, are closely monitoring the situation.

Vijaya Sri highlighted the importance of maintaining a secure environment for the tourism industry while acknowledging the potential impact of security issues on Sri Lanka’s economy. 

He assured that the Police was committed to effectively monitoring the situation.

While concerns have been raised regarding the illegal operation of businesses and visa overstays among Israeli nationals, he said investigations into these matters were currently not a priority. 

Vijaya Sri added: “Whether from Israel, the UK, or the US, none of the foreigners are leaving the country. We will discuss that later.”

This heightened focus on protection has arisen amidst increased scrutiny over the growing presence of Israeli nationals at popular tourist destinations such as Weligama, Mirissa, and Arugam Bay.