22 Indians to be deported from Sri Lanka for visa violations

At least 22 Indian nationals are set to be deported from Sri Lanka after authorities found them “illegally” residing in the island nation, The Tribune has learnt.

According to a source, all were working as technocrats for an IT firm in Colombo. Sri Lankan authorities have informed Indian officials about their detention and efforts are underway to repatriate them.

The arrests were made after Sri Lankan officials raided the Colombo office of the IT company where the individuals were employed. Another source said the group had been found overstaying their visas.

Of the 22 detained, 17 had overstayed their visit visas, four had overstayed resident visas and one had overstayed a business visa. The individuals are reported to be in the age group of 25 to 35.

The group is currently being held at a detention centre in Welisara, from where they will be deported shortly, sources added.

This incident follows a similar case last month, when Sri Lankan authorities detained 21 Indian nationals for illegally operating a computer-based business. That group, aged between 24 and 25, had reportedly violated relaxed tourist visa norms. They were arrested after a raid on a rented house in Negombo, a popular resort town on the western coast.