Sri Lanka announced on Sunday the termination of long-term tourist visa extensions previously granted to thousands of Russians and Ukrainians who had been using the policy to reside on the island following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Commissioner-General of Immigration Harsha Ilukpitiya stated that the government would no longer be extending visas for these individuals, setting a deadline of March 7 for their departure. He emphasized that the flight situation had returned to normal, allowing them to leave without difficulty.

Official figures indicate that over 288,000 Russians and nearly 20,000 Ukrainians have visited Sri Lanka over the past two years. While the number of those who overstayed their 30-day tourist visas is unclear, it is believed that a significant portion remained in the country, with some choosing to settle there to avoid potential military conscription.

Among those who remained, reports suggest that some Russians have established restaurants and nightclubs on the island. However, the government's decision coincided with widespread social media outrage over a Russian-operated nightclub organizing a "whites-only" party in the southern coastal town of Unawatuna.

Sri Lanka initially introduced 30-day visas on arrival to boost tourism, aiming to alleviate economic challenges stemming from its worst financial crisis since mid-2022. The country defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt in April 2022, leading to months of street protests and the subsequent resignation of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Following the crisis, Sri Lanka received a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which helped stabilize the economy and address shortages of essential commodities like food, fuel, and medicines. The decision to revoke long-term visas for Russians and Ukrainians reflects Sri Lanka's efforts to manage its tourism policies and prioritize economic recovery amidst ongoing challenges.